Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 874

The door of the Martial Sage Hall swung open.

As Yeon Ho-Jeong stepped through the open doorway, he felt a gust of wind carrying a moderate pressure, causing him to close his eyes.

‘Heavy.’

It was an energy that applied pressure to his entire body.

It wasn’t that ‘someone’ was deliberately emitting qi [internal energy] to exert pressure, but rather the atmospheric pressure that Yeon Ho-Jeong, having perceived the extraordinary martial prowess of the presence, was experiencing as if it were an illusion.

‘It’s a power like a thousand-year-old boulder. Like an unwavering Buddha statue.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Gong Gong Dae-Sa.

As if there were a giant seated Buddha statue behind Gong Gong Dae-Sa, who stood with his hands behind his back, a comfortable yet intense presence stimulated Yeon Ho-Jeong’s five senses.

Uuuuuuung.

A huge dragon that had been coiled up and sleeping deep within his chest opened its eyes.

Fwaaaaaak!

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Yellow Dragon Qi was released.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s eyes widened.

“Truly remarkable.”

“……”

“Before reaching this realm, I thought it was the power closest to the force of nature. It was so clear and profound that I felt an urge to approach it and surrender myself to it.”

“……”

“But that wasn’t it. Vice Leader, your energy is a powerful divine art with a clear will.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

The anti-demon aura that draped behind him like a halo made Gong Gong Dae-Sa appear extraordinary.

On the other hand, the energy flowing from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s entire body rose up, forming a golden dragon shape with its mouth wide open.

One who had not yet become a Buddha and one who had merely donned a human shell but had already become a dragon were looking at each other in astonishment.

How long had it been?

Whirrrrr.

With a burning sound, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Yellow Dragon Qi vanished as if it had been washed away.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I greet the Alliance Chief.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa did not dare to lightly accept Yeon Ho-Jeong’s greeting.

His figure, slightly bowing his head with a half-bow, was truly filled with the dignity befitting a great master.

“I am not yet officially the Alliance Chief.”

“You are truly amazing.”

“Hmm?”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s eyes filled with bewilderment at the unexpected remark.

Even that gaze was a fresh wonder to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“You have abandoned the path to further advancement in order to uphold your profound enlightenment.”

Surprise flickered across Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s face.

“You can see that?”

“I see it very clearly.”

“Haha, you are indeed remarkable. I thought I had completely mastered my power after time had passed, but it seems it was still noticeable.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled calmly.

“Is it the Great Wisdom Ability?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s quite different from the Great Wisdom Ability of Monk Beom Oh.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa burst into laughter.

“I only learned it to stop the overflowing flood, while Beom Oh is the one who learned it in its true form. Although the magnitude of power is less than mine, if that fellow reaches this realm in the future, it will be quite a sight.”

“Indeed.”

“Just as you are amazed by me, I too cannot help but be amazed to see you in this realm. The immovable heart of Vajra [a Buddhist concept of indestructible strength] is nothing but a sham.”

“Haha.”

“I would like to continue this conversation, but…”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa looked at Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun, who had been staring blankly at Gong Gong Dae-Sa, quickly lowered his head.

“The Deputy Commander of the Righteous Alliance greets the Alliance Chief.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa smiled wryly.

“I told you, I’m not the Alliance Chief yet.”

“Ah, I apologize.”

“Hahaha.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong and asked,

“Did you come because of Deputy Commander Moyong?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at Jeagal Mun-Ho.

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes flickered slightly. He seemed to have guessed why Yeon Ho-Jeong had brought Moyong Gun.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I’ll get straight to the point. I want to place Deputy Commander Moyong as a candidate for the next Alliance Chief.”

“……!”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa asked back with a shocked expression.

“Deputy Commander Moyong, you say?”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Gun was equally surprised.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had always said that he would make him the Alliance Chief, that he was the only one who could become the Alliance Chief. However, he had not expected this.

“Ye, Yeonje!” [a respectful way to address someone]

Despite the position being vacant, he ended up calling him Yeonje. It was an indication of how surprised Moyong Gun, who was strict about public and private matters, was.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly.

“I hope you don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying we should confirm him as the next Alliance Chief.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“When I first persuaded you, I said that as the first Alliance Chief, you should become the cornerstone for the next Alliance Chief.”

“That’s right. I remember.”

“You will be able to fulfill that role well. You will guide whoever becomes the candidate.”

“You flatter me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong placed his hand on Moyong Gun’s shoulder.

“From the beginning, the reason you became the first Alliance Chief was not because of a desire for power, but to break the functional limitations of the Martial Alliance and support the next Alliance Chief. Is that correct?”

“That is an undeniable fact.”

“And the next Alliance Chief…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his gaze to Jeagal Mun-Ho.

“…must be someone young, progressive, and full of fortitude, yet possessing unparalleled negotiation skills and wisdom.”

“……”

“Is that correct?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“Yes. I, we, wanted such an Alliance Chief.”

“That’s right. And the reason we want such an Alliance Chief is not for our personal gain.”

“Of course.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho said as if he had been waiting for it.

“We are in a situation where war could break out at any moment. Even if the next Alliance Chief is appointed after the war, that person must be the kind of person you mentioned earlier. A merciful and gentle Alliance Chief is not suitable for the time before and after war.”

“That’s right. That’s why the Military Advisor didn’t want you to become the Alliance Chief.”

Moyong Gun was once again startled by the sensitive topic.

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded calmly.

“That’s right.”

“It’s not because we disregard your abilities, but because you are more compassionate than anyone else. Is that correct?”

“Who in the world would doubt the abilities of the Great Master? As you said, I wanted the Great Master and Shaolin [a famous Buddhist monastery known for martial arts] to become the strength of the next Alliance Chief.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa smiled.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

“As the first Alliance Chief, you will also play a role in resolving people’s dissatisfaction. However, the gaze towards the next Alliance Chief we want will not be entirely favorable.”

“Of course, it wouldn’t be.”

It was because he was young.

The martial world, especially the orthodox martial world, was very conservative in its ways, with a tendency to view the young as inferior to the old in all aspects.

This was not just a prejudice of the orthodox martial world. Such a tendency exists in any field in the world.

The reason why Yeon Ho-Jeong’s reputation did not rise as quickly as expected was also due to this.

Considering what he had accomplished, he should have been called the unparalleled late-stage prodigy within a year of entering the martial world.

But reality was not like that.

Even when he broke through the Limitless Realm and killed the Evil King, people did not try to acknowledge it transparently. Even with clear evidence and testimonies from reputable people, there were still those who dismissed it as mere rumors.

Moyong Gun was over thirty years old. That was not a young age by any means.

However, it was also difficult to see him as someone with experience. Even if someone became the Alliance Chief in their forties, many people would be uncomfortable, so there was no need to mention someone of Moyong Gun’s age.

“There is only one way to dispel such dissatisfaction.”

There are many ways to quell public dissatisfaction, such as showing the full support of influential masters and groups, demonstrating practical abilities, and creating a situation that everyone can trust.

However, none of these methods are certain. There is a high risk that most of the achievements will be attributed to the help of others, rather than the Alliance Chief’s individual abilities.

“That is the successor training.”

“Successor training, you say.”

“Instead of just one Deputy Commander Moyong, we should have several capable successors, and have the Alliance Chief directly teach them and encourage fair competition.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s eyes sparkled.

Jeagal Mun-Ho also seemed to have not thought that far. His eyes were filled with surprise.

It was inevitable. The Martial Alliance was an alliance of many prestigious families and countless orthodox martial sects, making it difficult for the Alliance Chief to have absolute power.

Naturally, there were no successors. The traditional method of the orthodox martial world was to elect the next Alliance Chief as fairly as possible when the current Alliance Chief retired.

“Anyone is fine. Of course, there shouldn’t be too many. But competition among successors will be of great help to each other. Even if they don’t become the Alliance Chief, they will gain a lot.”

“It’s dangerous.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes deepened.

“It could easily become the beginning of a fierce power struggle.”

“Of course, it could.”

“But…”

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked at Gong Gong Dae-Sa.

“If we consider the current situation and efficiency, rather than it being unconventional, it is an alluring method.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa looked at Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun’s eyes were trembling endlessly. However, he did not seem to feel burdened by Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s gaze.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa smiled.

“Yeon Vice Leader did so, and so did the Moyong Clan Head who went to become the core of the Gangseo Alliance.”

“……?”

“They highly valued Deputy Commander Moyong. In fact, I also think he is a talented individual worthy of high praise, but the two of them seem to have seen something in you that this old monk could not see.”

“I…”

“I don’t see any excitement.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t see any excitement on your face. You are just filled with surprise and worry.”

Embarrassment flickered across Moyong Gun’s face.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong and said,

“I think I know why you like Deputy Commander Moyong.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Like? You say such creepy things.”

“Does the sworn brother serve a sworn brother he doesn’t like?”

“It was this side that proposed the sworn brotherhood out of the blue.”

He only said that, but if his own heart had not moved, he would never have formed a sworn brotherhood.

Moyong Gun’s gaze turned to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Yeonje.”

“Yes.”

“Does creating a position for me mean…?”

“You cannot become the Alliance Chief right away.”

“O-of course not! And I never had any intention of becoming the Alliance Chief.”

Moyong Gun, flustered, spoke incoherently.

Yeon Ho-Jeong grabbed Moyong Gun’s shoulders and spoke seriously.

“I can create a position for you. However, just because you hold a peerless sword doesn’t mean everyone becomes a great swordsman.”

“……!”

“I had high expectations for you, brother. I forgot about it because I’ve been busy. But now, the time has come for me to take responsibility for my words.”

“Yeonje.”

“Please ‘function’ for the sake of the world.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes wavered.

“Of course…”

A smile spread across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“If you are not capable, you can give up.”

It was not a provocation. It was not a joke.

The words that he could give up were Yeon Ho-Jeong’s true feelings. He had created a position, but from here on out, it was up to him.

Even if he gave up and remained in the position of Deputy Commander, their relationship would not end.

That was the meaning of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words.

Moyong Gun looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with complex emotions.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa, who had been quietly watching the two of them, spoke.

“Now that we’ve brought it up, shall we call them all in?”

“Yes?”

“They all have eccentric tendencies, but thanks to their extreme enlightenment, the masters of Seongcheon have remarkable insight.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa smiled.

“Let’s call them in to keep them here for a while, and also to hear what they think of Deputy Commander Moyong.”