Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 827

“Hoo.”

A long breath escaped with a light sigh.

“The late winter cold is no joke. It seems the Winter General [a personification of winter] is quite angry.”

The Grand Master Gong Gong, sitting on the flat bench and drinking tea, looked very elegant.

Even in this fierce cold, his posture was unwavering. Although it was cold, the wind wasn’t strong, so his beard and collar didn’t move much.

“Only when there is winter can we be more grateful for the warmth of spring. If we cannot endure the current misfortune, we will not feel the warmth of spring when life blooms.”

“Haha, Military Advisor, you speak the truth.”

The two men sitting side by side, drinking tea, looked quite harmonious.

One was the head of the Nine Great Sects and the abbot of Shaolin, known as the Great Bear of Mount Tai, and the other was the master of the Zhuge family, known as the family of divine calculations [a family known for their strategic and intellectual prowess].

It was a natural pairing, but considering what had happened within the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance], it was also subtle. As seniors and juniors in the Murim, they respected and admired each other, but at the same time, there were quite a few moments of conflict.

However, because they had mutual respect and acknowledged each other’s abilities, the two had been able to maintain a good relationship until now.

“It seems your health has deteriorated a lot recently.”

At Grand Master Gong Gong’s words, Zhuge Mun-Ho burst into laughter.

“I think I’ve been neglecting my health because I’ve been using my head too much.”

“Indeed, the Zhuge family’s martial arts are mysterious. Even so, your divine skill seems to be improving. However, your body is full of fatigue, and it seems you are having difficulty handling the power of your advanced divine skill.”

Zhuge Mun-Ho’s eyes widened.

“Can you see even that?”

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled.

His smile was always gentle.

“I’m just naturally sensitive to imbalances. It’s not a great skill.”

“It’s an incredibly great skill. Your insight is truly amazing.”

“I will send you some medicinal herbs from Mount Song soon. Your military advisor’s divine skill is rooted in wood energy, so it will be a good match.”

“Haha.”

Zhuge Mun-Ho shook his head.

“I appreciate the thought, but that won’t do. If it’s considered a bribe, you will be troubled, Grand Master.”

It was a subtle refusal. Grand Master Gong Gong chuckled.

“It’s truly sad that even caring for someone’s health can be seen as a bribe.”

“No one would doubt your compassion, Grand Master. I will gladly accept your sincere gratitude.”

“Haha, anyway, I hope you take care of your health. The Murim Alliance has come this far thanks to you, Military Advisor. If you are healthy, the Murim Alliance will also be healthy.”

“You flatter me.”

“It’s cold, let’s go inside.”

“I’m fine if it’s because of me. Rather, the cold air makes my head feel clearer.”

Grand Master Gong Gong shook his head with a helpless smile.

“So, what brings you to see this old monk today?”

Zhuge Mun-Ho put down his teacup and said,

“Soon, Sub-Chief Yeon Ho-Jeong will visit the Alliance.”

Sub-Chief Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Even though it wasn’t a meeting, he didn’t use a personal title. It meant he came on official business, and Grand Master Gong Gong immediately understood the meaning.

“Is it for mediation?”

“That’s right.”

“If that’s truly why you came, it’s as good as a wasted trip. Either way, he is the Sub-Chief of the Muk Ryong Unit [a military unit], and the Murim Alliance has formed an alliance with the Muk Ryong Unit. If we oppress the small master of an allied organization, what will happen?”

“Officially, that’s how it will be.”

“No one will try to harm him privately either. The Sub-Chief’s martial arts are so great that his name is on the Seongcheon list [a list of powerful martial artists]. Who would dare to draw a sword against him?”

“Even if they don’t draw a sword, they can still apply pressure.”

“Pressure?”

“You’ve seen some of the sect leaders who share the Namgoong Clan Head’s views, haven’t you?”

Grand Master Gong Gong’s eyes deepened.

Zhuge Mun-Ho sighed.

“This is also not right. If secretly accepting medicinal herbs from Mount Song can be considered a bribe, then coming to you with such a request can also be called a bad scheme.”

“Hmm.”

“Looking at this, it seems I don’t have a sense of justice either. If I do, I’m just living with my own arbitrary sense of justice.”

“Inflexible laws always ruin the world.”

A look of concern appeared on Grand Master Gong Gong’s face as he stroked his beard.

“Looking at the Namgoong Clan Head’s statements, there are some rigid and harsh aspects, but I believe such opinions are also necessary. Stagnant water is bound to rot, and if there is no attempt to understand and consider the circumstances of those who think differently, that is also a big problem.”

“But isn’t the intention behind those statements too obvious?”

“Hmm.”

“If it were a healthy debate with those people, I wouldn’t have done this. No, I’ve never come to you with such a problem before.”

“That’s right.”

“I came here because I know they will try to interfere in areas where debate or pressure should not be applied.”

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled.

“Areas where debate should not be applied?”

“At least not now.”

“I know you don’t think well of the Namgoong Clan Head, Military Advisor.”

Zhuge Mun-Ho slightly lowered his head.

A military advisor should doubt everyone and not side with anyone. But a military advisor is also a human, and there are people they dislike and people they want to give to without receiving anything in return.

Namgoong In was someone Zhuge Mun-Ho could not view favorably.

The reason was clear. He was someone who tried to take advantage of the situation even amidst the real threat of the Three Teachings [a mysterious and powerful group]. He was wary of his influence being reduced and wanted everything to go his way.

‘Even the Moyong Clan Head didn’t do this.’

Even Moyong Gun was known for his greed, but after learning about the existence of the Three Teachings, he declared that destroying them was the priority.

‘The Namgoong Clan Head has changed a lot.’

Namgoong In was not a fool. If he were, he wouldn’t have become the clan head in the first place. Rather, his political skills were among the best in the Alliance.

The problem was that he judged everything based on politics and power.

What could be the reason?

“The Namgoong Clan Head’s talent is…”

That’s when it happened.

“It would be best if you stopped there.”

Grand Master Gong Gong raised his hand, stopping Zhuge Mun-Ho’s words.

Zhuge Mun-Ho’s eyes wavered.

“Grand Master.”

He was someone who had never shown a wavering side to anyone. The only people he showed such emotional or weak sides to were Grand Master Gong Gong and Yeon Wi.

“It’s not that I’m trying to find fault with the Namgoong Clan Head.”

“Yes?”

Grand Master Gong Gong looked at the gate in the distance.

“There’s no need to hide your presence. Come in.”

Creak!

The gate opened, and Moyong Gun appeared.

Surprise flickered in Zhuge Mun-Ho’s eyes.

‘This can’t be.’

Although the distance to the gate was quite far, it was only about ten or so yards.

Even if his mind was shaken, how could he not have noticed that Moyong Gun was there?

‘I knew he had become stronger, but was he this strong?!’

Moyong Gun said with an awkward expression.

“I didn’t mean to do it on purpose, but I reduced my presence because I thought I might disturb the conversation. I apologize if it was unpleasant.”

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled and said,

“I appreciate your consideration, Moyong Clan Head. I heard you coming, so there’s nothing to be unpleasant about.”

It wasn’t sarcasm. He was just stating the facts calmly.

A smile spread across Moyong Gun’s face.

“You are truly amazing.”

“What’s amazing is you, Moyong Clan Head. To be able to reduce your presence like that while containing such a powerful force is proof that your martial path has already reached the unity of inner and outer, isn’t it?”

“It’s just a mere trick.”

“Hahaha.”

Moyong Gun looked at Zhuge Mun-Ho and said,

“I wanted to talk to you as well as the Grand Master, and since you were both here, I came while reducing my presence. Did I cause any trouble?”

“How could you? Isn’t that right, Military Advisor?”

At Grand Master Gong Gong’s words, Zhuge Mun-Ho rose from his seat.

“Military Advisor?”

“If you came from afar while hiding your presence, you must have heard everything I said.”

Moyong Gun didn’t bother to lie.

“It was intermittent, but I heard everything worth hearing.”

Zhuge Mun-Ho spoke frankly.

“What do you think?”

“About what? About the Namgoong Clan Head?”

“About Sub-Chief Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

Indeed, Moyong Gun had heard everything.

“There is nothing in this world that cannot be debated.”

“Is that so?”

“However, in this situation where the Alliance has formed an alliance, discussing the Sub-Chief would be a disservice to the allied organization at the very least, and at worst, it would be an act that undermines trust between allies, which could cause problems in future battles against external enemies.”

An unexpected light appeared on Zhuge Mun-Ho’s face. He never expected Moyong Gun to say such a thing.

Moyong Gun smiled and said,

“You are indeed a military advisor.”

“What do you mean?”

“That blind spirit of service, moving for the sake of the Murim Alliance without any desire for power.”

It was a compliment, but it also sounded like it wasn’t a compliment.

“If it were me, I would have let the debate happen. And after waiting for the Namgoong Clan Head to show a weakness, I would have politically buried him at the decisive moment.”

“……!”

“If I thought the Namgoong Clan Head was not suitable for this position, or if I thought he was an obstacle in my path, I would have done so.”

Zhuge Mun-Ho’s face hardened. Grand Master Gong Gong also couldn’t smile at Moyong Gun’s words.

Moyong Gun laughed heartily.

“You are different from a schemer like me, who is obsessed with power. It’s fortunate that you are the military advisor, Zhuge Clan Head.”

Zhuge Mun-Ho, who had been quietly looking at Moyong Gun, asked as if throwing a question.

“Do you have business with me?”

“Yes. There is a conversation I must have.”

“Then…”

“But before that, I have business with the Grand Master first. Could you wait a moment until my business with the Grand Master is finished?”

Zhuge Mun-Ho paused.

He had felt it when he first saw him after his seclusion, but Moyong Gun’s aura was definitely different from before.

As if believing he would wait even without an answer, Moyong Gun looked at Grand Master Gong Gong.

“Grand Master.”

“Speak, Moyong Clan Head.”

“May I ask you one thing?”

“Of course.”

“Why don’t you ascend?”

“What do you mean?”

“You have seen the light and paved the way to it, yet why do you not reach it?”

“……!”

Grand Master Gong Gong was startled.

Zhuge Mun-Ho couldn’t understand what Moyong Gun was saying.

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly looking at Grand Master Gong Gong, nodded.

“I knew it. You, who have the ability to reach for the Heavenly Seat, are deliberately staying in this place.”

“…Moyong Clan Head.”

“Now, I will tell you why I came here.”

That’s when it happened.

‘……?!’

Grand Master Gong Gong and Zhuge Mun-Ho’s faces hardened.

Rumble!

From somewhere in the sky, a strange thunder-like sound seemed to echo.

Zzzzzzzzz.

Several streaks of blue light flickered on Moyong Gun’s instep. The blue lines darted across the ground like lightning, emitting an ominous aura.

“For the first and last time.”

Crackle!

A treasured sword was drawn from his waist pouch.

Blue lightning began to discharge from the hand holding the sword hilt.

“I want to share swords with you.”