Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 833

The marginalized, those who have lived ignored.

What could it mean to say he had merely hitched a ride on the power of such people?

“Do you know why the ruler of an empire has vassals?”

“…….”

“It’s because they know they cannot govern the entire empire alone.”

Moyong Gun tapped the table with his index finger.

“The same goes for the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance]. The power of this Murim Alliance, the White Path Murim Alliance, has certainly reached the pinnacle of the world, but do you really think there is a single righteous sect that has not been harmed in any way by the Murim Alliance’s actions?”

“Of course, that’s not the case.”

“You may not think so, but you wouldn’t know how many there are. You’re such a busy person, after all.”

It wasn’t a sarcastic remark. It was simply stating a fact.

“Your military skills are outstanding, but as a human, you have limitations. To compensate for those limitations, you’ve gathered officials, but half of them are stubborn fools who only know how to preach about harmony and justice. They know nothing about administration and governance.”

“Clan Leader Moyong.”

“It’s not like I know it all either. However, I realized it after participating in Clan Leader Yeon’s hearing this time. Half of them are not qualified to sit in those seats.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face hardened.

“That’s an excessive statement.”

“There’s no need to be mindful when it’s just the two of us, is there? Just let the military advisor endure it.”

“…….”

“The important thing is that because the people in the leadership of the Alliance are like that, the processing of matters is slow and unclear, and there are more sects suffering than you might think.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho couldn’t disagree with that. Personally, that was the most frustrating aspect of the officials.

The existence of a strong and decisive Murim Alliance Chief was something he desired more than anyone else.

“And I was trying to become the Murim Alliance Chief by making those officials my allies, one by one.”

“……!”

“Furthermore, those weaklings gathered in Gangseo were political funds and a large number of votes that would support me when the Alliance Chief election began.”

“……So that’s how it was.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho was once again amazed by Moyong Gun’s thoroughness.

And more than that thoroughness, he was chilled by the amoral nature and the blind ambition towards his dream, which so freely crossed the line.

“In other words, the slow and unclear meetings of those officials were actually an opportunity for Clan Leader Moyong.”

“That’s right.”

It was a frank admission. He even went a step further.

“I even delayed the agenda of the meetings several times. By nitpicking over important issues.”

“……!”

“The slower the officials’ work became, the more I became the one who subtly led the atmosphere, and the more marginalized people supported me!”

“…….”

“I had no doubt that I would get closer to the position of Murim Alliance Chief.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho swallowed.

Moyong Gun, who had been looking down at his glass, downed the liquor in one go.

“It’s bitter, as always.”

“Then…….”

“…….”

“You haven’t given up on the position of Murim Alliance Chief, so why are you trying to leave? What are you planning to do with that power gathered in Gangseo?”

“Why? Are you afraid that I might gather that power and attack the Murim Alliance?”

“…….”

“Haha, Military Advisor, you’re easier to read than I thought.”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“I would help the Murim Alliance grow much bigger than it is now. I would never attack this place.”

“Then what on earth……!”

“I am not the right person to be the Murim Alliance Chief.”

“……Pardon?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

In that instant, Jeagal Mun-Ho felt an involuntary surge of emotion.

He was clearly a ruthless person, cruel and merciless, who would use any means necessary to achieve his goals.

Yet, the smile Moyong Gun was wearing now was strangely moving.

“How great of an organization do you think the current Murim Alliance would become if I were to become the Chief?”

“That’s something no one can know.”

“Of course. If there had been no unexpected events, if that were the case… perhaps I would still be scrambling to get to that position.”

“Unexpected events?”

“The Three Sects.”

“……!”

“How long do you think it would take to change the Murim Alliance to my liking? A year? Two years? That’s nonsense. It would take at least ten years. And even then, I would have to go through another election to be re-elected.”

“…….”

“Even if I changed it to my liking, how many people would trust and follow someone like me?”

This was the very point.

This was the part where Moyong Gun’s change was most clearly revealed.

Moyong Gun, who had only looked at his own abilities, was finally turning his gaze to his surroundings and trying to see people.

If I don’t change myself, the world I see won’t change either. Moyong Gun had repeatedly faced mental shocks to the point of contemplating suicide, and in the end, he had changed ‘himself.’

The eyes of the changed ‘self’ changed his martial arts and his perspective. As his ‘perspective’ changed, the world he saw also changed.

That was the current Moyong Gun.

He, who had blindly rushed forward without thinking about what was a priority, even with his intelligent mind and insight, was now looking back at himself and beginning to understand what was a priority.

“I buttoned the first button wrong. Both personally and publicly.”

“…….”

“There is no longer a place for me in this Murim Alliance.”

“Clan Leader Moyong.”

“I thought I knew politics, but what I knew was just trickery. Tearing apart, killing, breaking, and ruining the opponent.”

“…….”

“As a schemer, I had more than enough ability to pass, but I didn’t know what real politics was.”

“……Real politics, you say?”

“That’s right. Real politics.”

“What is real politics?”

“I don’t know.”

Moyong Gun laughed heartily.

“To ask someone who doesn’t know politics what real politics is, Military Advisor, you have a mischievous side to you.”

“…….”

“However, I do know one of the functions of politics.”

“What is it?”

“It’s symbiosis.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyelids fluttered.

“Symbiosis…….”

“I reached out to powerless sects, unconnected merchant guilds, and escort agencies. I wanted to make them mine, those who wanted to advance to the center but had no connections, and those who couldn’t easily leave because their business was there.”

“…….”

“It may be hard to believe, but I treated them well in my own way. The descendants of the Eon Clan would scold me, asking why I was so good to them but so terrible to the Murim Alliance, but it was natural for me. They were my real power.”

“…….”

“If the Murim Alliance had done its job, such people wouldn’t have existed.”

“……That’s right.”

“And I, too, would have collapsed from anxiety if it weren’t for them.”

Moyong Gun smiled bitterly.

“I was actually receiving strength from the weaklings I had looked down upon.”

Truth is simple and obvious.

He didn’t want to admit it, but once he did, he saw the obvious as obvious. He didn’t see the simple as complex.

“What do you think?”

“……What do you mean?”

“Do you think I can integrate them well and create a wonderful force?”

“The force has already been formed, hasn’t it?”

“Ah, I haven’t said this yet.”

Moyong Gun shrugged.

“I’m not going to be the head of them, the alliance of small and medium-sized sects that couldn’t join the Murim Alliance and the Mukryong Unit [Black Dragon Unit].”

“Pardon?!”

“I’m going to unite them into one. From the start, I had no intention of starting as the leader of the alliance.”

“Th, then……?!”

“I will be recognized.”

“……!!”

“I want to establish the first leader of the alliance as a thoughtful, strong-willed, and wise young man. I want to learn from and fill the gaps of a sage from a different generation than me.”

“Clan Leader Moyong…….”

“I want to learn more and realize more. I know that my martial arts will also improve when I understand the world.”

Clink.

The liquor filling the glass made a clear sound.

“When those weaklings truly want me, when the day comes when they acknowledge that my abilities and insight are sufficient as a leader.”

“…….”

“Then, I will gladly become the head of the new organization and aim for the position of Murim Alliance Chief.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes turned red.

He was such a ruthless and unforgivable sinner, but regardless of that, his eyes and nose stung.

Moyong Gun, who had gained enlightenment, would no longer live in greed. Because he knew that it was not right.

It wasn’t because of a moral issue. It was because he had begun to know the world and people.

He had gained great enlightenment, and he had grasped the life that had melted into that enlightenment.

But no matter how much he had chased away his worries, how could his heart be at peace at this moment of giving up his lifelong dream?

He was smiling, but Jeagal Mun-Ho could tell. Moyong Gun’s insides were rotting away.

To aim for the position of Murim Alliance Chief after being recognized by everyone?

It would be good if he actually became such a person. But there was no guarantee that such a day would definitely come. It was because he had come to desire a position recognized by people, not a position he would seize with his own power.

Moyong Gun had sent a sailboat, his goal of burning his life, out to a stormy sea.

He had sent it away with regret, shedding tears of blood.

“The martial arts they have learned are the secrets of the Jinju Eon Clan. Please do not mistake them for a group that has practiced other sinister martial arts.”

“……Yes, I understand.”

“They have been gathering funds for me to become the Murim Alliance Chief for over twenty years. That money will go back to them, so please know that it is not wealth accumulated through corruption.”

“I understand. I know that.”

With these words, Jeagal Mun-Ho could understand Moyong Gun’s intention to acknowledge that the force was clearly a subordinate organization of the Murim Alliance.

It was a subordinate organization, but like the ruler of an empire with vassals, the small and medium-sized sect alliance would govern that region well. It was simply a request to acknowledge that they were reliable subordinates and allies who would not walk a different path.

“It would be good for the Alliance to send people. That would be more certain. They will need a solid guarantee that they are walking the same path, so I will lay the bridge.”

“We would be grateful if you would do that.”

“The Moyong Clan will still help the Murim Alliance. Also, only I and Eon Ja-Bang will go to the Gangseo Alliance, so there will be no gap in the power of the Murim Alliance.”

Furthermore, Moyong Gun himself could not recklessly plot evil deeds using the Gangseo Alliance. Concentrating the power of the clan on the Murim Alliance also meant holding the Moyong Clan itself hostage.

Jeagal Mun-Ho could understand Moyong Gun’s will. And his resolve as well.

Moyong Gun raised both hands and stood up from his seat.

“It’s gotten quite late. I was trying to leave without anyone knowing, but it feels refreshing to have had this conversation with the Military Advisor.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled and said,

“If you hadn’t had this conversation with me, you wouldn’t have been able to leave the fortress. I would have suspected your true intentions.”

“You don’t suspect me now?”

“I’ve decided to trust you for now. After all, the Murim Alliance will be sending an envoy as well.”

Moyong Gun snorted.

“If you can’t get rid of that soft-heartedness, you’ll get into big trouble someday.”

“I suppose so.”

“I was going to sneak out, but since you’re here, let me ask you a favor.”

“I will speak to the officials separately.”

“You’re smart, as always. I hate sitting in the middle like Clan Leader Yeon and wasting time with all sorts of nonsense.”

“Thanks to you, I’ll be the one taking all the blame.”

“You’re used to being blamed now, aren’t you?”

“Haha.”

Moyong Gun, who had packed his bundle, pointed his chin at the liquor bottle.

“You can have what’s left.”

“Clan Leader Moyong.”

“Speak.”

“……I hope to see you again soon.”

Moyong Gun, who had chuckled, opened the door and left.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, left alone, sighed quietly.

The amount of snow that had been falling heavily seemed to have decreased a little.

Moyong Gun, who had left the Murim Alliance’s eastern gate, the Blue Dragon Gate, walked for a while before climbing up a small peak.

Moyong Gun, standing at the top of the peak, looked back at the Murim Alliance.

The scenery of the snow-covered Murim Alliance at the dark dawn was truly magnificent. He wondered if there was another place so grand and beautiful.

“It’s a spectacle.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“If I were to become the master of such a magnificent world, how thrilling would that life be?”

And how tiring would that life be with all that responsibility?

Moyong Gun’s eyes, which had been looking down at the Murim Alliance with a smile, wavered.

“Farewell.”

Who was he saying that to?

It was impossible to know. Was he saying it to his younger brother, Moyong Woo, or to the remaining warriors of the Moyong Clan?

Or was he saying it to the Murim Alliance itself?

“I hope, we can see each other again like this.”

Trickle.

Tears finally flowed from Moyong Gun’s eyes.

With a heavy heart full of regret and longing, he took a heavy step forward. The back of Moyong Gun, who was leaving with a single sword on his small bundle, was very shabby, unlike the master of the Moyong Clan.

The footsteps of a giant who was giving up his dream and moving forward to become bigger, to no longer be shabby.

The world was changing.