Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 905

“Hmm.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa’s eyes deepened. His gaze was peculiar, as if lost in thought or having made a decision.

Jeagal Mun-Ho opened his mouth.

“Shall we send additional troops?”

Gong Gong Dae-sa shook his head.

“I’m not sure.”

“According to the intelligence department, the enemy’s forces are not that large. However, we don’t know what kind of experts are hiding within…”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Yes?”

Gong Gong Dae-sa tilted his head.

“The local provocation of the Western Region martial world itself is not a big deal. The reason is that this situation was already foreseen by me, Military Advisor Jeagal, and all the Bonggong [a term referring to the members of the Bonggong family or group].”

“That’s right. We already suspected that the Three Teachings [referring to Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism] might have taken control of the Western Region martial world and are using them like limbs.”

“The problem is, why now of all times?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes gleamed.

Gong Gong Dae-sa nodded.

“It must be because of the Heavenly Effect Young Master of the Shinma Forest [a place of great martial significance].”

“Of course.”

“Perhaps the real forces have headed towards the Yeon Subuju [a title of respect, likely referring to Yeon Ho-Jeong].”

“I think so too.”

“But why would they send a secondary force separately?”

“I don’t think it’s a simple feint. The Western Region martial world is also one of the forces that coveted the Central Plains [the heartland of China] in the past. Especially the Small Thunder Sound Temple.”

“That’s right.”

“In fact, it’s ambiguous to call this a feint. Even if they didn’t divert attention this way, there wouldn’t be enough time to send troops to the Subuju’s group, who have already left on a long journey. However, the role of the Small Thunder Sound Temple is to draw a line so that no one dares to help the Subuju’s group until they reach the Shinma Forest.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa’s eyes flashed.

“Are you saying that they might have sent experts with their own standards to try the strength of the Central Plains?”

“That’s part of it, but there might be a bigger problem.”

“A bigger problem?”

“Proselytization.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa’s face hardened.

“Unlike the Great Thunder Sound Temple, the Small Thunder Sound Temple has chosen a path that pursues only power. They are famous for their bizarre doctrine that interprets Buddhist law in a twisted way, revealing desires as they are.”

“…”

“The Small Thunder Sound Temple is a place where opinions are extremely divided even in the Western Region. Apart from their martial power, their doctrine itself is not easy to understand logically.”

“That’s right.”

“However, I’ve heard that once people enter the Small Thunder Sound Temple, they can never leave.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s not that they can’t leave, but those who are deeply immersed in the doctrine see the world in a distorted way. Their doctrine is that perverse and dangerous.”

“So, there’s a possibility that they will spread their doctrine in the Central Plains?”

“I think there’s a high probability of that. Perhaps…”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes narrowed.

“It could also be to lay the groundwork in the areas they will occupy after conquering the Central Plains.”

Crack!

Gong Gong Dae-sa’s hand broke the handle of the grand master’s chair.

He was merciful and wise, but he couldn’t help but be sensitive to the actions of the Small Thunder Sound Temple.

In the past, the Shaolin Temple often had exchanges with the Great Thunder Sound Temple. Although not formal, the monks who left the temple to see the world would travel between the Central Plains and the Western Region, sharing their teachings.

However, the Small Thunder Sound Temple was different.

They branded the Shaolin and the monks of the Great Thunder as heretics, inciting the public to capture and kill them. Although not known to the world, there were nearly double-digit cases of this.

With such a grim history, even the great Gong Gong Dae-sa couldn’t help but be sensitive.

“A heretical teaching is the devil itself. When Sakyamuni [the historical Buddha] attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Mara of the Desire Realm, fearing for his own safety, tempted him with all sorts of temptations, but he did not waver.”

“…”

“Everyone in this world can become a Buddha. However, humans are imperfect beings, and those who are preoccupied with reality and do not pay attention to the truth can easily be seduced by the teachings of cults.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa, who had been staring at the ceiling, said.

“Call Woo.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes wavered.

But only for a moment.

“Understood.”

A moment later.

Moyong Woo entered the Alliance Lord’s Hall.

“I greet the Alliance Lord.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa smiled.

“Although I have not yet formally declared you as the Alliance Lord’s disciple, our path is such that I already consider you one of my successors.”

It was an elegant and benevolent tone.

Moyong Woo bowed his head silently.

“It seems that Subuju Yeon Ho-Jeong wants you to be the next Alliance Lord.”

“…”

“Yes, if someone with such insight sees you as a talent worthy of leading the White Path martial world, there must be a good reason.”

Moyong Woo was neither flustered nor embarrassed.

Gong Gong Dae-sa continued.

“Senior Jongli Baek, who became Musang [a title of great respect, often given to a martial arts master], made a request with his position on the line. He asked me to include his disciple, Ogu-Mun, as one of the successor candidates.”

“Yes. I heard about it.”

“However, Musang Jongli did not want his disciple to become the next martial arts alliance leader. No, it seemed like he disliked it. Yet, he wanted to include his disciple as a candidate. What do you think is the reason?”

Moyong Woo said calmly.

“Isn’t it to have him learn about the world within this place?”

Gong Gong Dae-sa smiled with satisfaction.

“That’s right. You saw it correctly. Musang Jongli entrusted his disciple to me for that reason.”

“…”

“However, no matter how vast the martial arts alliance is, how can one learn about the world within it? Isn’t the martial arts alliance an alliance that exists as a part of the world, not a place that contains the world?”

“Yes.”

“Ogu-Mun also knew his master’s intentions well. From the beginning, Ogu-Mun’s personality was free-spirited and uninhibited, so I didn’t think he was suitable for a position that required responsibility.”

Why is he saying this?

Gong Gong Dae-sa continued.

“It’s not just Ogu-Mun.”

“…?”

“The eldest son of the Namgoong family and the eldest son of the Peng family are also human, so they each have their own flaws. Just like you and me.”

“…!”

“The young head of the Jeagal family is the same. Although the military advisor has taught him well, he is young and inexperienced, and even though he pretends not to be, he gets excited easily. He is a good young man, but he has many shortcomings.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes widened.

“Are you saying…?”

“That’s right. I intend to make you, Ogu-Mun, the eldest sons of the Namgoong and Peng families, and even the military advisor’s eldest son, as successor candidates.”

“…!!”

Isn’t that too much?

Such a thought suddenly occurred to him, but Moyong Woo soon lowered his head. Gong Gong Dae-sa and Jeagal Mun-Ho were unparalleled figures. They must have their own reasons.

“I want to add one more person as a successor candidate here.”

“Who is it?”

“The daughter of the Tang family head, Tang Sang-Ah.”

“…!”

“I have already received a separate word from the Tang family head. He said it was okay.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes wavered for the first time.

Gong Gong Dae-sa shook his head.

“The one who is qualified among them will become the next Alliance Lord. But I, and all of us, do not consider martial arts alone as the requirement for the next Alliance Lord.”

“…”

“It’s the world.”

“The world…”

“One who knows the world, one who sees the world, one who listens to the world.”

“…”

“Since they are all talents of their respective factions, there is no concern about martial arts. They are all geniuses who are ready to become stronger at any time. However, even for a genius of the century, knowing the world is a different matter.”

Moyong Woo asked.

“What is the world?”

“The question of what the world is has no meaning. The reason is that the world each person sees is different.”

“…”

“The next Alliance Lord must be better than the first Alliance Lord in every way. But martial arts is not included in all those aspects. We are living in a difficult time. There are people who have to fight the world with strong martial arts, and there are people who have to lead that world. That’s what I think.”

“…Yes.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa, who had been quietly looking at Moyong Woo, spoke again.

“I know it’s confusing.”

“…”

“I know that you became a candidate for Alliance Lord at the behest of Yeon Subuju, in a way. You must feel burdened by the position you are in now.”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Woo never lied.

Gong Gong Dae-sa smiled. Moyong Woo’s voice, which honestly revealed his confusion, was truly pleasant to hear.

“However, you did not refuse.”

“That is also true.”

“Do you have ambition?”

“No, I don’t.”

“If you have no ambition, why didn’t you refuse this position?”

Moyong Woo closed his eyes.

He was a talent who was gradually grasping his own subjectivity, even though he was confused.

“I have no ambition, but I have been running to see higher places. But at some point, I realized that I also liked the life of clashing with my unit members and being with them.”

“And?”

“One day, I suddenly realized.”

Moyong Woo opened his eyes again.

“I don’t know all of my talents. I don’t know how far I can go. And I wasn’t sure how I would live my life.”

“…”

“Not anymore.”

“…”

“All the soldiers of the Uijeong Army are the connections that have become my light. My connection with them will continue until the moment I die. I still want to remain a commander, but I also want to learn about the world in another place.”

“Is that so?”

“Even if I leave my position to learn about the world, the soldiers will not resent me. The reason is that even if the soldiers say they will quit the Uijeong Army, I will not resent them either.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa burst into laughter.

Moyong Woo did not laugh. His face was calm, but full of deep sincerity.

“The Uijeong Army is one of the places to return to. I came from my hometown, so I need to see more of the world.”

“Is that so?”

“This is a stroke of luck. Yeonje [likely a nickname for Yeon Ho-Jeong] is too much of a younger brother for me. But if Yeonje, who has such excellent insight, saw something in me, and if that is a path I have not yet taken.”

“…”

“Even if I fail and become frustrated, I have no intention of turning away from the path that will unfold before me.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa burst into laughter.

“You have already taken a step towards the world.”

“But I don’t know what that world is.”

“A place where you wander without knowing, but the more you try to know it, the farther it gets. That is the world.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa handed a piece of paper placed on the side to Moyong Woo.

“The forces of the Western Region martial world have been split in Gansu. Some of them are passing through northern Shaanxi and moving to Shanxi.”

“…!”

“There will be powerful experts. There may not be anyone who has entered the realm of the Limitless, but perhaps there might be.”

“…”

“Can you take all the candidates and go out and defeat them?”

Moyong Woo bowed his head.

“I will do it.”

“They will disturb the public with their heretical doctrines and will not hesitate to use cruel means to expand their influence.”

Moyong Woo immediately understood Gong Gong Dae-sa’s words.

“Fighting is important, but the most important thing is to govern the people’s hearts.”

“…Haha.”

Admiration appeared on Gong Gong Dae-sa’s face.

“You already know what is important.”

“I just have experience.”

“Good. I will contact the other candidates separately. Make all the preparations so that you can leave at dawn tomorrow.”

“I obey the Alliance Lord’s command.”

Moyong Woo, who had bowed his head and stood up, left the Alliance Lord’s Hall.

A warm spring breeze brushed past the tip of his nose. The refreshing scent of grass and the subtle fragrance of flowers calmed his mind.

Confusion arose on Moyong Woo’s face as he looked at the sky.

“The world…”