Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 887

888. The Hometown of the Demonic Path (1)

“Seriously….”

A disgruntled look appeared on Yang Cheon’s face.

“I can’t tell if this guy is constantly attracting trouble, or if he’s instinctively drawn to where trouble is brewing.”

Baek Seo lowered his head at his lord’s grumbling.

“I don’t quite understand the military advisor’s thinking.”

“Hmm?”

“The Shinma Forest, led by the Demonic Immortal Hyeok Ryeon-Hwi, is clearly a hidden area that no one has ever seen. And though the Vice-Chief is said to be on friendly terms, he is clearly a member of the Mukryong Clan. To ask the Mukryong Clan’s successor for such a thing, it’s unbelievable.”

Yang Cheon smiled.

“Are you worried about the Vice-Chief?”

“Of course, I’m worried, but I’m more concerned about the burden.”

“Burden?”

“Jeagal Mun-Ho is clearly a wise man. It’s highly unlikely that such a person would see the Vice-Chief as a member of the Yeon family and ask for such a favor.”

“I think so too.”

“Looking at it differently, it’s no different from asking the next leader of the Martial Alliance to resolve a request from the higher-ups of the Shinma Forest that came to us.”

A puzzled look appeared on Baek Seo’s face.

“Leaving aside the matter of pride, he must know that this could be a considerable political burden. Yet, he made such a request, it’s a bit strange.”

Even within the Alliance, they could be criticized for recklessly sending a successor of another organization into a dangerous situation, but before that, the Mukryong Clan would not look kindly upon the military advisor.

That was only natural. Yeon Ho-Jeong had already reached a position where neither the Martial Alliance nor the Mukryong Clan could easily touch him, so unless he moved of his own will, it was awkward for anyone to readily ask him for something.

Yet, Jeagal Mun-Ho demanded it.

“Didn’t they say the situation is chaotic? In the midst of that, there’s the Shinma Forest Lord, the Demonic Immortal, and some genius great heir who has reached the Supreme Realm. If they have that much power, it’s only natural that there should be a Saint-level expert among the dispatched personnel.”

“Of course, but….”

“Yes, I know. If it’s a Saint-level expert, the Martial Alliance has them too, but it’s strange that they chose Ho-Jeong, even while taking on a political burden.”

“That’s right.”

In fact, if all other things were set aside, Yeon Ho-Jeong was definitely the right person.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was not just a master with strong martial arts. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s real strength was not his martial power, but his quick judgment, his unfailing resourcefulness, and his formidable drive.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had the outstanding insight and experience to conclude any situation in any form. There were many who could match his martial arts, but when it came to concluding a case to one’s liking, there were few who could replace Yeon Ho-Jeong.

However, if one were to only think of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s usefulness in that way, he would have to be deployed to all sorts of incidents throughout the martial world.

In fact, Yeon Ho-Jeong had been deployed to major incidents and had resolved most of them, but there were many talented people in this world besides Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It was something that could be handled by gathering and dispatching several experts, considering the current situation. There was no reason to send Yeon Ho-Jeong while taking on a political burden.

“Actually, I was also puzzled by that part at first.”

“I thought so.”

“As you said, Jeagal Mun-Ho is not someone who doesn’t think. So, I think he must have some confidence or his own thoughts, which is why he made a request, not a request, to Ho-Jeong.”

Baek Seo’s eyes deepened.

“It’s somewhat cunning.”

“Hmm?”

“We can bring up this issue at any time. However, in the current situation, expressing dissatisfaction with the Martial Alliance is an act that would damage the well-established alliance.”

“That’s true.”

“At least the Mukryong Clan won’t be able to say anything else… I wonder if Jeagal Mun-Ho did this with that in mind….”

Yang Cheon nodded.

“He must have thought of that too. But in the opposite case, the Martial Alliance can’t express dissatisfaction with us either, can they?”

“That’s right.”

“I think maybe….”

Yang Cheon paused for a moment before continuing.

“It seems to be a matter of influence.”

“Influence?”

“Hmm.”

Yang Cheon picked up his teacup.

Steam slowly rose from the cold teacup.

“Ho-Jeong’s presence is among the best of this era. He actually went as the Mukryong Clan’s special envoy, but there were so many people cheering for Ho-Jeong, right?”

People’s minds change from day to day, but the unconventional steps and endless talent that Yeon Ho-Jeong showed were certainly worthy of admiration.

People tend to feel jealousy towards those who cause trouble within the bounds of common sense. But towards a monster who transcends common sense, they feel admiration rather than jealousy.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was exactly like that. In the minds of the Martial Alliance warriors who looked at him, Yeon Ho-Jeong was not a peer, but a monster from another dimension.

“Now, Ho-Jeong has become someone who leads the hearts of all, beyond being a master of problem-solving and the greatest talent who has reached the Saint Realm [a level of martial arts mastery].”

“But how does that…?”

“Didn’t the first Martial Alliance Leader appear?”

“Ah!”

Baek Seo exclaimed.

Yang Cheon swirled his teacup. Lately, he had been avoiding alcohol and favoring tea. It wasn’t for any particular reason, but he just felt that drinking alone was too pathetic.

“Great Master Gong Gong’s character and influence are second to none. He’s already the abbot of Shaolin, so it’s only natural. But Ho-Jeong’s influence is also considerable. Especially among the younger generation, it’s truly enormous.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“No matter how respected Great Master Gong Gong is, if we divide it into old and new, he’s clearly an old-era figure like me. Since such a person has become the first leader, there is no one as troublesome as Ho-Jeong when looking at the political situation.”

Of course, neither Jeagal Mun-Ho nor Great Master Gong Gong would see Yeon Ho-Jeong in a bad light.

The important thing was his own influence, which did not go as he wished. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mere existence could cause the Alliance members to split.

Of course, the possibility of that was extremely small. But it certainly existed.

So, it was important to get him out of that position as soon as possible, but since he had come to the Alliance as the Mukryong Clan’s special envoy, they couldn’t do that.

Jeagal Mun-Ho pushed Yeon Ho-Jeong into the Shinma Forest situation for that reason.

“They’re using him and throwing him away as they please.”

“That’s right.”

“But… we can’t criticize him.”

“Of course. We also use and discard, and take what’s sweet.”

Yang Cheon took a sip of tea and made a ‘Kuh!’ sound. It was as if he was drinking alcohol and having a hangover cure.

Baek Seo cautiously continued.

“In any case, the Vice-Chief’s unilateral decision is clearly a problem. If there had been sufficient consultation, it would have been different, but didn’t he just notify us?”

“That’s true.”

Yang Cheon smiled bitterly.

“But we can’t just ignore it, can we? It’s not like we can grab that guy by the hair and drag him back from so far away.”

“……”

“And… it’s also an era that needs his kind of temperament.”

“Yes?”

“To be honest, he’s the Vice-Chief of the main headquarters in name only, isn’t he? It’s a relationship where we joined hands out of necessity.”

“V-Vice Chief!”

“He must have his own thoughts.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.

“Just like we’re proceeding with our own work.”

Baek Seo sighed slightly.

For him, the Mukryong Clan was his lord’s organization and the proudest organization in the history of the Black Path [a term for the unorthodox martial arts world].

As Yang Cheon’s direct subordinate, it was important for him to nurture this organization as well as any other sect. He wanted to make it an organization that would maintain its lineage for a long time, not one that would end in one era.

In that sense, the Vice-Chief’s existence was as important as Yang Cheon’s, or in some ways, even more so.

‘He’s truly a difficult person to handle.’

He knew it, but he was once again reminded that he was a truly reckless human being.

“Well, what can we do since things have already turned out this way? He’s used to such things, so he’ll do well.”

As Yang Cheon said, how many times had Yeon Ho-Jeong been deployed to such situations?

Against weaker opponents and stronger opponents, Yeon Ho-Jeong had always succeeded in his missions. Even if he failed, he always managed to return with his own life intact.

No one could be sure how the world would turn out, but they could still trust Yeon Ho-Jeong. At least, as the Vice-Chief of the Mukryong Clan, he was not the kind of person who would recklessly endanger his own life.

“By the way, have you heard from him?”

“Ah, yes. He said he had just entered Honam with the Alliance Leader.”

Yang Cheon smiled wryly.

“I never thought we’d meet like this. Life is indeed interesting.”

“Since he’s closer than the Martial Alliance, it would be good to meet and understand each other’s intentions.”

“So, he’s asking to meet first. He even knows how to bow his head first, he’s quite something.”

Interest arose on Yang Cheon’s face.

“Moyong Gun of the Gangseo Alliance… Is this the first time since Ho-Jeong left as the head of the intelligence department?”

* * *

Two days had passed since the Alliance Leader’s inauguration ceremony.

“Does the tea suit your taste?”

“Yes. It’s very good.”

“I’m glad.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“The inauguration ceremony was so hectic. It’s been a lot of trouble for Young Master Cheon to come during such a chaotic time.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak smiled and said,

“I’m the one who came to ask for a favor. There’s no need to worry about such things. And….”

A slight excitement appeared on Cheon Hyo-Rak’s face. It wasn’t a pretense, he seemed genuinely excited.

“Thanks to you, I was also able to see the duels of the Transcendents [individuals who have reached a level of martial arts beyond the ordinary]. Really, where else could I see such a fight?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled.

“It was truly amazing, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I was sincerely amazed. And I was convinced.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes sparkled.

“I am convinced that Vice-Chief Yeon Ho-Jeong, with his power, can play a decisive role in resolving the problems of our Forest.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“In my life, I have never seen a talent like Vice-Chief Yeon. To be honest, I wish he would get along well with my daughter.”

“I’ve heard that your daughter is a heroine who combines beauty and intelligence.”

“Haha, I’m just grateful that there are people who see her that way. Anyway, Vice-Chief Yeon is an amazing person. So….”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes changed.

“Never take him lightly.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak was inwardly surprised.

He knew that Jeagal Mun-Ho had asked Yeon Ho-Jeong for this favor.

He was a member of the Yeon family, but also the Vice-Chief of the Mukryong Clan, so he wondered if it was really necessary.

Now he could guess the reason. It was to send him on purpose to secure the first Alliance Leader, Great Master Gong Gong’s control within the Alliance.

But looking at Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face now, it didn’t seem to be just for that reason.

“For me, Vice-Chief Yeon is a very important person, both publicly and privately. If I were to lose him, I would grieve as if I had lost a member of my own family.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes wavered.

“Our family gained power thanks to the Yeon family. And as political allies, we have crushed countless evils and brought the Martial Alliance this far. We have that pride.”

“……”

“The reason why I’m sending him to the Shinma Forest is not just for the Alliance Leader’s control, but because I believe he is a vessel that can encompass both the righteous and the evil, and even the Demonic Path [a term for a martial arts philosophy that embraces unorthodox methods].”

“……!”

“So, ask for his help thoroughly, without hiding anything from him. Don’t hide secrets, and don’t reject him because of cultural differences. If by any chance he suffers an injustice in the Shinma Forest….”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled coldly.

“The relationship between the Martial Alliance and the Shinma Forest will not be good.”