Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 890

Yang Cheon, with a peculiar look, refilled Moyong Gun’s cup.

“Help that guy out?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Obvious…”

“Yeon Ho-Jeong’s abilities are beyond doubt. His martial arts, strategy, and insight are all top-tier in the Murim [the martial arts world].”

“Indeed, he’s solved countless incidents with those impressive skills.”

“To trust that and leave him be is absurd. The complacent thought that he’ll manage, that he’ll succeed again, won’t prepare us for the future.”

Yang Cheon smiled.

“Weren’t you two arch-enemies?”

“We still are.”

“Yet you’re asking me to help him?”

Moyong Gun, staring at Yang Cheon, nodded.

“You’ve already sent people.”

Yang Cheon was slightly surprised.

“How did you know that?”

“I don’t know much about you, but I know you’re at least someone who listens.”

A person who listens.

Depending on how you take it, it could be quite pleasing or a bit unsettling.

“It wasn’t a moment to beat around the bush. Yet you were too calm.”

“Hmph.”

“The high-level experts seem sufficient, so you probably sent a unit-level force.”

Yang Cheon, looking at Moyong Gun with another peculiar gaze, shook his head.

“That guy was right.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Ho-Jeong, of course. He said the head of the Moyong family has great wisdom and insight, and he was right. It’s one thing to notice that people were sent, but to see through that a unit-level force was sent is quite remarkable.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“If they’ve already been sent, then it’s fine. Besides, you’re not so incompetent as to not know that much about political relations.”

It was quite a presumptuous tone. Baek Seo’s face immediately turned grim.

However, Yang Cheon didn’t mind Moyong Gun’s impudence. If he had wanted to take issue with it, he would have corrected his tone long ago.

Rather, Yang Cheon was intrigued by Moyong Gun.

More than simple interest, he felt a desire to work with this arrogant yet capable fellow.

“The Moyong family is in Honam, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“You came here directly for the sake of the Moyong family as well, didn’t you?”

“I won’t say that thought was completely absent.”

Considering the power of the Mukryong Faction, the family was practically held hostage from Moyong Gun’s perspective.

“I want to ask you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“Is the Moyong family part of the Murim Alliance, or are they a separate entity?”

“They are naturally part of the Murim Alliance.”

“I see.”

Yang Cheon smiled.

“That’s a shame. If your family had broken away from the Murim Alliance, I would have unhesitatingly suggested you join our side.”

“That’s nonsense. And it’s a meaningless statement.”

“Meaningless?”

“The Murim Alliance and the Mukryong Faction have formed an alliance. And the Vice Chief is trying to become a bridge between the imperial court and the Murim by becoming the Emperor’s son-in-law.”

“…”

“The world is becoming one. In such a situation, trying to absorb another great faction is not a good idea.”

“You should know that the world can never truly become one.”

“Of course.”

“Isn’t it a natural and obvious instinct to join hands with valuable individuals for the future?”

Moyong Gun put down his cup, the liquor sloshing inside.

“Let’s stop with the insincere talk and get to the point.”

“Insincere talk…”

“Were you perhaps serious?”

Yang Cheon, looking at Moyong Gun quietly, chuckled.

“I was half serious. I didn’t know you would bloom so splendidly.”

“I heard the Vice Chief is also giving up many things and living for one value. But hearing you say that, it seems a person’s character doesn’t change.”

“I’ve lived like this my whole life, so what can I do? However, it’s a great achievement that I no longer have any lingering attachments.”

Yang Cheon tapped the table with his index finger.

“Alright, you’ve come all this way for various reasons, but there must be a real point. What is it?”

“Does the Mukryong Faction have a unit that specializes in catching spies?”

“Hmm?”

Yang Cheon tilted his head.

“We don’t have a separate unit like that. We have many martial artists with good eyes, though.”

“The main alliance does.”

“Huh?”

“I was planning to use the Gangseo Alliance as my support base.”

“I see.”

“Naturally, I couldn’t help but worry. Whether it’s public opinion or financial power, if their identities are exposed, the power I’ve built up could be destroyed.”

“That’s certainly true.”

Yang Cheon, nodding, asked.

“But why is that relevant?”

“There’s a way to quickly develop the insight to catch spies professionally. To be precise, it’s not with me, but with a well-teaching instructor.”

“…?”

“I’m thinking of dispatching that unit and instructor here. So, please create a separate spy detection unit.”

“A spy detection unit?”

“That’s right.”

Yang Cheon silently looked at Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun continued.

“Of course, we’ll cover all the training costs. Casualties are unavoidable, though.”

Yang Cheon tilted his head.

“Why suddenly create a spy detection unit? No, why are you asking us?”

“The power of the Gangseo Business Alliance surpasses that of a great faction. However, that’s only when considering all factors like financial power and influence. Their pure martial strength is only enough to handle one of the Nine Factions.”

“That’s still impressive.”

“They haven’t even become one yet. Crucially, there’s a lack of mid-level experts.”

“Hmm.”

Yang Cheon stroked his chin.

“So, you’re saying we need to form a detection unit composed of high-level experts with a certain level of martial prowess.”

“That’s right.”

“What’s the reason? It’s too sudden.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

“I want to ask the Vice Chief. Can you truly say that there isn’t a single spy from the Three Teachings [a mysterious and powerful group] in the Murim right now?”

“…”

Yang Cheon’s eyes deepened.

Could he guarantee that there wasn’t a single spy from the Three Teachings in this vast world?

“I don’t think so, of course.”

The Beggar Clan and the Black Path Information Guild had the same opinion. They believed that there wouldn’t be any spies from the Three Teachings active right now.

In other words, they were confident that no noticeable spy activity would be possible. If the two best information guilds in the Murim had the same opinion, it was safe to assume it was true.

However, if asked if there were truly no spies at all, the answer would naturally be no.

It was just that they couldn’t engage in noticeable activities. Now that the entire Murim knew about the Three Teachings and realized they were irreconcilable enemies, any reckless spy activity would be fatal.

The Three Teachings wouldn’t be foolish enough to ignore the public sentiment of the places they needed to conquer.

Nevertheless, they would have released spies, just in case.

“We need to prepare for the future. From the perspective of those attacking first, it’s impossible that they wouldn’t infiltrate spies or scouts.”

“Of course, they would.”

“Besides, the world is vast. Since we don’t manage every Murim faction in the world, it will be difficult to find spies who have infiltrated deep within.”

“I agree.”

“Then.”

Yang Cheon frowned.

“You’re trying to create a detection unit to catch even the spies who don’t reveal themselves?”

“How can we know who is a spy if they don’t reveal themselves? Spies who don’t send information to the Three Teachings or try to make contact will live completely assimilated into the Central Plains [the heart of the Murim].”

“That’s true. Then how do you plan to create a detection unit?”

“Let me ask you something.”

Moyong Gun’s face became serious.

“If the Three Teachings resume their activities, how do you think those spies will move?”

“What do you mean? They’ll start gathering information from the Central Plains again or disrupt our information.”

“Of course, there will be those kinds of spies. But would the Three Teachings repeat the same failed spy operations?”

“…Then?”

“I heard from the instructor that those who specialize in spy operations send spies for two main purposes.”

“Tell me.”

Moyong Gun raised his fist and held up his index finger.

“First, it’s information theft.”

“That’s right.”

“The information spies gather is categorized by importance. But even minor information isn’t ignored. The reason is that when trying to understand a group you haven’t directly seen or experienced, even minor information can help you grasp the group’s nature.”

“So, all information spies gather is useful.”

“That’s right.”

“I know that much.”

“What’s the second purpose?”

“Well… there could be many.”

Moyong Gun held up his middle finger and said.

“In broad terms, the main reason for sending spies is to turn the enemy into allies.”

“…!!”

Yang Cheon’s face hardened.

“The instructor said that professional spies can blend into a target environment in just two days. Blending well into an environment means they can mix with anyone without difficulty, and at times, they can even become the leader of a group.”

“Of course…”

“But taking control of a group and coordinating them is problematic in many ways. Unless they’ve been infiltrating since childhood and have been blending into the environment for decades, it’s rare for a parasite to become the leader of an organization.”

“Does that mean?”

“They’ll turn the leader of the organization to their side instead.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes wavered.

Moyong Gun fiddled with his cup.

“Spies will move at the crucial moment. Information? Of course, they’ll focus on that too. But information theft will only become full-fledged after the war begins.”

“Are you saying that the spies who have infiltrated the Central Plains might try to persuade various key figures to follow the Three Teachings?”

“That’s right.”

“How many fools like that would there be in the world?”

Even as he said that, Yang Cheon felt his confidence wavering.

How many fools would there be in the world?

He knew how vast the ‘world’ was. As vast as the world was, all kinds of people lived in it.

Even those who seemed strong and firm on the outside were often easily swayed and moved by others’ desires.

Those people become the targets of spies.

“The war hasn’t started yet. But the covert battles haven’t ended either.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes darkened.

“We need to catch those spies. The Gangseo Alliance hasn’t become one yet, and we can’t wield our power freely. The thing we can do best is to catch spies.”

“But… as you said, how can we catch spies who aren’t doing anything?”

“We’re not catching spies.”

“…?”

“We’re catching the stubborn fools who have been charmed by spies.”

“…!!”

Yang Cheon’s eyes widened.

Moyong Gun emptied his cup in one go.

“There might be spies in the Mukryong Faction as well. However, the Vice Chief’s influence is so strong that it’s doubtful they could move properly even if a war broke out.”

“Then?”

“The Murim Alliance.”

“…!!”

“There’s almost a 100% chance that spies exist in the Murim Alliance. And… since it’s an alliance, there are many rivalries and jealous relationships. They might even be turning someone to their side right now.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes blazed.

“If I were a spy, there would be no better feast than the Murim Alliance.”