Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 845

Hwa-Hyang’s eyes immediately sharpened.

A supreme master can subdue an opponent with just their gaze. This isn’t a metaphor; it’s genuinely possible. They can manipulate objects with their will, going beyond just controlling their internal energy, and thus, they can even inflict damage on an opponent’s mind.

When this reaches its peak, they can achieve telekinesis, and further, upon reaching ultimate enlightenment, they can attain the realm of ‘Mind-Imprint Injury’ [a state where one’s mental power can inflict physical harm].

In any case, Hwa-Hyang’s sharpened gaze meant she was not in a good mood, and that atmosphere was fully conveyed to the two men.

“Hwa-Hyang.”

“Yes, Master.”

“What is that rudeness? Apologize.”

There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with her words or actions. It was just her gaze and the atmosphere she created.

Hwa-Hyang lowered her head.

“I apologize.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“You have a fine bodyguard.”

“She is someone who always supports me steadfastly.”

“When I was young, I thought there were many people like that in the world. But as I’ve lived, I’ve come to realize how great a treasure a good friend is.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak smiled.

It was the first genuine smile he had shown since arriving here.

“Although it’s a master-servant relationship, I’ve never once thought of my bodyguard as an outsider.”

At that moment, Hwa-Hyang flinched. She was taken aback by Cheon Hyo-Rak’s words.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“That’s all I needed to hear. As Master Cheon said, you can tell the Bonggong [a high-ranking official or leader] about the reason you came to the Alliance.”

“Is that all you’re truly curious about?”

“There’s still much more. But I don’t want to trouble my guest any further. Though, of course, you’re not exactly my guest.”

It was a joke, but not really. Cheon Hyo-Rak chuckled.

“The rumors were true.”

“It seems you’ve heard quite a few rumors about me. So, what other rumors have you heard?”

“They say that if you join hands with the Tyrant, the process may be rough, but the result will be right, and if you oppose the Tyrant, both the process and the result will be bad.”

“You didn’t just make that up, did you?”

“Absolutely not. The rumors are widespread, even as far as Qinghai [a province in China].”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

Qinghai.

With that answer, Cheon Hyo-Rak had essentially admitted that the Shinma Faction was based in Qinghai Province.

“I’ve heard the weather in Qinghai is harsh.”

“Having always lived there, I don’t particularly think it’s harsh.”

“Qinghai… As you know, one of the Nine Great Sects, Kunlun [a major martial arts sect], resides in the westernmost part of Qinghai. It’s such a remote place that they rarely send people to the Central Plains.”

“I am aware.”

“Also, unlike other sects in the Central Plains, Kunlun doesn’t actively engage in trade. Therefore, they are not as well-informed about Qinghai as one might think.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“What is the situation there?”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s gaze also changed.

“You wanted an honest conversation, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”

“I know that the reason the Central Plains was able to overcome the crisis caused by the three mysterious religious groups was thanks to you, the young vice-leader.”

“That’s an overstatement.”

“Do you think the Three Teachings [a collective term for the three mysterious religious groups] have also extended their reach to Qinghai?”

“I don’t know. But if they have, I don’t think I can just ignore it.”

“You can’t just ignore it…”

At that moment, Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes narrowed.

“Is that an offensive?”

This time, it was Yeon Ho-Jeong’s turn to be surprised.

“Impressive. I didn’t expect you to see that far.”

“…Do you admit it?”

“I figured you wouldn’t believe me if I said no. And, I was the one who first said I wanted an honest conversation.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak was puzzled and also flustered.

‘What is this guy’s true nature?’

He was treating important political matters as if they were common gossip.

This was a security issue, not just about being honest. There were things that could be said and things that shouldn’t be said, but he was talking about everything without discrimination under the guise of an honest conversation?

‘He certainly seems intelligent, but…’

He was intelligent, but somehow hard to keep up with.

It wasn’t because he was thinking several steps ahead, but because he was throwing out statements that shouldn’t be made in the first place.

Cheon Hyo-Rak, who had been observing Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face, cautiously asked.

“Couldn’t I leak this information to the Three Teachings?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Would you do that?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t.”

“Then that’s all that matters.”

“No, I mean… what part of me do you trust to be so honest about even that?”

“I have thoughts of launching an offensive, but I don’t know if I really can yet. It hasn’t been formally discussed.”

“If it is formally discussed, will you then consider launching an offensive?”

“If everyone agrees, then yes.”

“Then you should be even more careful about security…”

“I know the Three Teachings well. At least better than most.”

“Huh?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged as if amused.

“If our offensive is revealed due to Master Cheon’s report, those guys will also have a ‘reaction’.”

“…?!”

“An offensive isn’t just about rushing in and smashing everything. You also have to observe the opponent’s reaction, investigate why that reaction occurred, and then change your strategies and tactics accordingly.”

“…!!”

“The things that would truly be a security issue wouldn’t be so easily revealed. That we might launch an offensive? That’s actually something that could confuse the enemy. There’s no need to be so anxious about security.”

“…I see.”

“Furthermore, even though they are the kind of guys I want to send straight to hell, if they have any brains, they’ll be considering the possibility of us launching an offensive. Of course, whether we actually do it or not is another matter.”

“……”

“This isn’t even a real battle of wits. It can’t be a game-changer, can it? If we hide even this and go on and on, the only ones who will suffer are us.”

It was completely different.

Cheon Hyo-Rak realized that Yeon Ho-Jeong was someone far removed from the ordinary.

‘His perspective on war is different!’

If the Central Plains martial world were to attack the Three Teachings, the Three Teachings would be the ones to panic. That was only natural.

Yet, Yeon Ho-Jeong said it didn’t matter if the rumors spread. He asserted that such rumors wouldn’t change the overall situation and that he could even use the rumors to exploit the enemy’s weaknesses.

‘This person is already…’

While ordinary people would take a breather and then prepare for war, Yeon Ho-Jeong was different.

For Yeon Ho-Jeong, even this moment of meeting him was part of the war. He wasn’t just making grand preparations; every day was a continuation of war.

What was even more terrifying was the sincerity in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes as he tilted his head, as if asking why he was asking such an obvious question.

‘He’s terrifying.’

It wasn’t that he didn’t know that winning without fighting was the best option. Yet, he lived with such a mindset because he had no intention of leaving the Three Teachings in the world in the first place.

Furthermore, he could react this way because he had absolute confidence in his individual tactical abilities.

‘He doesn’t see soldiers as pieces on a chessboard. He doesn’t even think about playing chess. He just plans to sweep the opponent’s pieces away with his hand.’

Cheon Hyo-Rak swallowed involuntarily.

‘His goal isn’t to win, but to annihilate. He wants to make it as easy as possible to remove the opponent’s pieces.’

Was it because his caliber was different, or was it because his perspective was different?

Whatever it was, if everything Yeon Ho-Jeong said was genuine, then this man was too dangerous.

“There’s no need to be so definitive.”

“Yes?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a sip of his tea.

The once-hot tea had cooled considerably, and its aroma had faded.

“I don’t know what you think of me, but we’ve only met today. It’s too short of an encounter to make definitive judgments about someone’s tendencies or personality.”

“…!”

“Even considering that, I can’t deny that Master Cheon’s mind is exceptional. I don’t know what position you hold in the Shinma Faction, but if they sent someone with such insight, then the Shinma Faction is no ordinary group.”

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in Cheon Hyo-Rak’s mind.

‘If you can see a person’s personality, you’re called intelligent. But if you can see a person’s limitations, you’re called wise. You are intelligent, but not yet wise.’

The voice, like a hallucination, was filled with intense dignity and subtle warmth.

Cheon Hyo-Rak, who had been quietly observing Yeon Ho-Jeong, opened his mouth.

“I can’t give you information about Qinghai yet, as I don’t know the limits of the young vice-leader.”

“I see.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong rose from his seat.

Cheon Hyo-Rak was flustered and stood up as well.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Haha, there’s no reason to stay if we’re just going to have superficial conversations. If you want to see me again after meeting the Bonggong, then we can meet again then.”

“…I see.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak gave a wry smile.

“Until we meet again, I will contemplate my limits.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“You’re different from the rumors.”

“Yes?”

“I heard that the demons of the Demonic Martial World are all cruel and ruthless. But Master Cheon doesn’t seem to be like that.”

“…Is that so?”

“That’s why I like you. Unpredictable people are always interesting. As long as they don’t become enemies.”

“……”

“If I have the chance, I’d like to meet other notable figures from the Demonic Martial World.”

“If the opportunity arises… I will introduce them to you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Please tell the Bonggong that I had a long conversation with you. The military advisor will be embarrassed if we finished so quickly.”

With those words, Yeon Ho-Jeong left the room.

“……”

Even after Yeon Ho-Jeong left, Cheon Hyo-Rak stood there for a long time, staring at the door.

Hwa-Hyang cautiously asked.

“Um… Master?”

“Hyang-ah.”

“Ah, yes!”

Cheon Hyo-Rak closed his eyes.

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak sat back down in his chair, leaning against the backrest.

“I should get some sleep until someone comes from headquarters. You should rest comfortably too.”

“Understood.”

Hwa-Hyang cautiously left the room.

A moment later.

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes slowly opened, his face filled with confusion.

“He’s too dangerous.”

There was no need to look into his inner thoughts.

His very existence was dangerous and unconventional. Anyone who had a conversation with Yeon Ho-Jeong would feel that way.

But.

“I can’t see his limits, but his goal is too clear. That’s why he’s even more dangerous.”

Whoosh!

A faint demonic energy flickered in Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes.

“I wonder what that man’s existence means to the Martial Alliance.”

* * *

Yeon Ji-Pyeong waved his hand at Yeon Ho-Jeong as he came out of the guest house.

“How was it?”

“Huh?”

“The… guest house.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“He seemed to have too many worries. He seemed to have his own reasons.”

“Who in this world doesn’t have their own reasons?”

“Of course. Still, he seemed to be measuring too much, which was a bit frustrating.”

“Measuring?”

“There’s that. He seems intelligent and has clear opinions, but he’s got too much clutter in his head. Anyway, I think he’s a decent talent.”

“If you’re evaluating him that highly, then he must be a truly remarkable person.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong ruffled Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s hair.

“You rascal.”

“Ugh!”

“Don’t praise your brother too much. There are so many remarkable people in the world.”

“But one of them is you, brother.”

“I’m just a madman obsessed with fighting.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong couldn’t help but laugh.

“Anyway.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been looking at Yeon Ji-Pyeong with a smile, removed his smile and looked towards the Azure Dragon Gate.

“…The truly amazing thing is somewhere else.”

The moment Yeon Ho-Jeong’s senses detected ‘something’.

The speed of that ‘something’ increased terrifyingly.

“…?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face hardened.

“Seongcheon?!”