Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 876

Gok Gyeong, upon entering the Martial Alliance, didn’t wait in the outer city like Cheon Hyo-rak or Jongri Baek.

To be precise, he didn’t need to wait. Gok Gyeong carried a golden plaque issued by the Imperial Palace, specifically from the most secret and authoritative place within it.

Bu Seon was the same. She possessed a document proving she was a disciple of the Mukryong Division’s Deputy Chief, a junior sister of the Small Chief, and a member of the special envoy delegation.

The two of them quickly passed through the outer city and reached the inner city.

“……”

Bu Seon looked around.

The passing warriors were watching Gok Gyeong and her with tense eyes.

It was inevitable. Gok Gyeong didn’t bother to hide his aura. Although he didn’t openly emit his unique, eerie energy, he fully displayed his true nature as a master of the unorthodox path who hadn’t mastered orthodox martial arts.

Bu Seon had also mastered the domineering martial arts of the Fighting King, Yang Cheon. Although it wasn’t obvious due to Gok Gyeong’s dense and heavy aura, her presence was also far from bright and righteous.

“It’s an honor.”

Gok Gyeong and Bu Seon immediately entered the detached building next to the Martial Arts Hall, where honored guests were received.

They were greeted by Seung-hyeon Jin-in [a title for a Taoist master] and several Bonggongs [high-ranking officials in the Martial Alliance].

“We meet the one of the Three Armies, the Ghost Lord of Mad Chaos. I greet you on behalf of the Twelve Bonggongs of the Martial Alliance. I am Seung-hyeon of the Wudang Sect.”

The calm voice, combined with the archaic tone, settled the atmosphere.

Seung-hyeon Jin-in was not much older than Gok Gyeong. However, the difference in their achieved levels was clear.

The reason he couldn’t offer a respectful greeting was likely due to the deep-rooted distance between the orthodox and unorthodox factions.

Gok Gyeong chuckled and said,

“I am Gok Gyeong. The air in the Martial Alliance is quite chilly, I like it.”

While Seung-hyeon Jin-in’s tone didn’t violate etiquette, Gok Gyeong’s tone was very free-spirited.

If they had met in the martial world, they would have been more likely to draw their swords than share tea. Moreover, Gok Gyeong’s personality was so rough and straightforward that even this level of vocabulary could be considered him making an effort.

Seung-hyeon Jin-in asked in a gentle voice,

“I’ve heard the story. You were originally going to the Mukryong Division, but you changed your path midway to come to the Martial Alliance.”

“Did you hear it from that guy?”

That guy was none other than Yeon Ho-jeong.

Seung-hyeon Jin-in smiled.

“Thank you for drawing a not-so-bad picture.”

It wasn’t an answer to the question, but there was no need to nitpick.

Gok Gyeong snorted.

“When is the Alliance Leader election?”

“The exact date hasn’t been set. However, it will be held within a few days.”

“I’m as busy as you are. My head is also complicated, so I’ll stay at the guest house.”

“You’ve come a long way, how about having a cup of tea?”

“We’re not on friendly terms to drink tea with a smile, are we?”

Despite the sharp response, Seung-hyeon Jin-in was not flustered.

“Depending on how you think about it, we could develop from an awkward relationship to an uncomfortable but not bad one, wouldn’t you say?”

Gok Gyeong’s lips curled up.

“I’m not interested in that kind of relationship.”

“That’s a pity.”

“I’ll tell you in advance, I didn’t come here as a martial artist. I came as an agent of His Majesty the Emperor.”

In an instant, the relaxed atmosphere turned chilly.

An agent of His Majesty the Emperor. It was a name too heavy to simply ignore.

“His Majesty is very interested in that guy, Yeon Ho-jeong. Who knows His Majesty’s true intentions, but it’s certain that he’s paying attention to that guy.”

“……”

“If it weren’t for that guy’s words, I wouldn’t have bothered with any picture or anything.”

Even a super-giant, one of the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heaven and working under the Emperor, had changed his course at Yeon Ho-jeong’s request.

The Bonggongs realized once again how immense Yeon Ho-jeong’s influence was.

“The atmosphere has become unnecessarily stiff. What I mean is that there are many people involved. I’m not the type to cause trouble in a place like this, so take good care of your warriors.”

It was an excessively rough and rude remark, but it was something Gok Gyeong could easily say.

Throughout history, the orthodox martial artists’ view of the black path and the unorthodox was one of pure disgust. Even if one didn’t openly follow the black path, the mere fact of practicing unorthodox martial arts was enough for many to believe they should be captured immediately for the sake of the future.

There are extreme people and villains everywhere. It was hard to say for sure that no one would move with fire in their eyes without the permission of their superiors.

Gok Gyeong had pointed out exactly that.

Seung-hyeon Jin-in nodded.

“I assure you that the Alliance’s warriors will not bother you. I will take measures to ensure nothing happens.”

“……”

Gok Gyeong, who had been quietly watching Seung-hyeon Jin-in, chuckled.

“It seems not just anyone can become a Bonggong.”

“You flatter me.”

“Is it already confirmed that the Alliance Leader will be from the Shaolin?”

Seung-hyeon Jin-in’s eyes widened.

“How did you know that?”

Gok Gyeong turned his head towards the Martial Arts Hall.

A flash of eerie energy flickered in his cool eyes.

“They say there’s no place more treacherous than the Martial Alliance, and it seems that’s true. The Limitless is no joke, there are so many masters who have reached it.”

“……”

“The most unsettling energy among them is shining in gold. It’s far from being called the Fist God, and it’s also ambiguous to say he has reached the Saintly Heaven.”

“……”

“Yeon Ho-jeong used to praise the Shaolin Abbot so much, and he’s indeed no ordinary man. Well, he is the disciple of that Fist God.”

Admiration appeared on Seung-hyeon Jin-in’s face.

“Your insight is truly remarkable.”

“Enough. I’ve talked too much. I’ll be going now, so please guide me.”

Gok Gyeong turned to Bu Seon.

Bu Seon blinked.

“What are you planning to do, junior?”

“I’m……”

At that moment, a smooth voice was heard from afar.

“Since she is the junior sister of my son, how about she stays at the Pagun Pavilion?”

Everyone turned around.

Yeon-wi and Tang Gwan were walking towards them.

Gok Gyeong smiled strangely. He had already known that they were coming.

He thought it wouldn’t be good to show his friendship with the head of the Yuk family. So, he tried to go in quickly, but it seemed they had somehow found out and rushed over.

Since they had met like this, Gok Gyeong didn’t feel the need to act considerately towards them.

“It’s been a while.”

Yeon-wi clasped his hands in greeting.

“It has been a while.”

Gok Gyeong sighed and returned the greeting.

The Bonggongs were surprised once again. They hadn’t expected him to give a formal greeting only to the Yeon family head.

“If the Imperial Sword Master doesn’t treat me comfortably, I’ll feel uncomfortable too. Let’s live comfortably.”

Yeon-wi smiled wryly.

“I’ll be careful from now on.”

“Well, there’s a lot to talk about over a drink, but this isn’t a good place. Let’s have a drink when the time comes.”

“Let’s do that. You must be tired from your journey, so please rest well.”

Gok Gyeong shrugged exaggeratedly and started walking.

Seung-hyeon Jin-in looked at Yeon-wi.

Yeon-wi smiled apologetically and nodded.

Seung-hyeon Jin-in said to the Bonggongs,

“Well, the greetings are mostly done, so let’s disperse. Tell your warriors to be careful.”

With those words, even the Bonggongs left.

“……”

Bu Seon looked at Yeon-wi with a blank face.

On the surface, she looked very cold, but Yeon-wi didn’t miss the awkwardness and embarrassment hidden within her indifferent expression.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“Yes? Ah!”

Just by her reaction, he could tell. The flustered Bu Seon hurriedly straightened her posture and clasped her hands in greeting.

“I am Bu Seon of the Mukryong Division.”

Yeon-wi lightly raised both hands.

“I am Yeon-wi, the head of the Byeoksan Yeon family of Gangdong. I am Ho-jeong’s father.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

“And this person is……”

Tang Gwan said as if throwing a stone.

“I am the head of the Tang family of Sichuan. You must know my name, right?”

Why was it?

Bu Seon felt more comfortable with Tang Gwan’s introduction than with Yeon-wi’s exemplary response. It was easier to deal with someone who was openly blunt than with the strange difficulty she felt from Yeon-wi.

Yeon-wi, shaking his head as if he couldn’t help it, said in a gentle voice,

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Ho-jeong. You’ve worked hard to bring this difficult person here.”

“It’s nothing.”

Awkwardness lingered on Bu Seon’s face.

Yeon-wi glanced at the Martial Arts Hall and then spoke again.

“Ho-jeong is busy even here. Since you’ve come, you need a place to stay and meet your senior brother, so let’s go to where we’re staying.”

“Ah, it’s okay. I’m fine alone……”

Tang Gwan cut her off with a cold voice.

“There’s no place for you to stay alone, so stop talking nonsense and follow us.”

“……”

Bu Seon didn’t know how to respond and remained silent. If it were the black path, she would have glared intensely and drawn her sword if she thought there was a fight, but she couldn’t do that here.

Yeon-wi quickly said,

“If you’re more comfortable being alone, you can do that. But how about going and waiting until Ho-jeong comes?”

“Ah, yes. I will.”

“Let’s do that. Ah, do you perhaps like tea?”

“Not particularly……”

“I see.”

Seeing Yeon-wi’s awkward expression, Bu Seon added,

“I like alcohol.”

“Hehe, alcohol. Good, let’s drink slowly to relieve your fatigue while we wait.”

Tang Gwan, who was following behind them, threw out a comment.

“You’re going to drink a lot of cheap liquor again.”

* * *

“Ah! Finally, we’re here.”

Jeagal Ayeon, having passed through the outer city and entered the inner city, stretched.

“It’s the same mountain air, but the inner and outer cities feel so different. Do you feel that way too?”

“How could I?”

It was a moderately low and calm voice.

He was a little under six feet tall, and despite wearing loose-fitting clothes, he looked somewhat thin. Among his neat features, his eyes, sparkling with wisdom, looked particularly deep.

Jeagal Ayeon said,

“It’s because you’ve never been inside the Alliance.”

“I have.”

“Huh? When?”

“When it was first established.”

“Really?”

“You still have no interest in your own family.”

“Well, if you’ve been here, you’ve been here.”

The young man, Jeagal Jun, smiled. The boy who had shown an immature appearance a few years ago was gone, and now he had appeared as a full-fledged young man.

After being appointed as the young head of the Jeagal family, he had trained in both literature and martial arts within the family for a long time. Now, having received teachings from the family’s best scholars and countless martial arts masters, he looked more mature than Jeagal Ayeon.

And now, with the Alliance Leader election just around the corner, Jeagal Jun, as the young head, couldn’t help but come to the Alliance.

It wasn’t just him. People had been sent from various sects of the orthodox martial world. There was a reason why the already complex Martial Alliance had become particularly noisy.

“Ugh, it’s uncomfortable. I want to wash up quickly.”

“You washed up yesterday.”

“You dirty fellow. Unless there’s a good reason, I always wash up every day.”

“Clean your mind before you clean your body.”

“Enough. You’ve become quite the scholar after studying for a few years, you brat.”

Jeagal Jun burst into laughter. He certainly seemed more relaxed than when he was younger, and he had grown into a very attractive young man.

Jeagal Ayeon flapped her front and strode forward.

“Let’s go quickly, let’s go quickly. It’s still cold, but I don’t know why I’m sweating so much… Huh?”

Suddenly, Jeagal Ayeon’s steps stopped.

“What’s wrong, sister?”

“……”

“Sister?”