Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 945

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a private meeting like this, wouldn’t you say?”

“Indeed.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa smiled as he looked at Yeon-wi.

Yeon-wi’s demeanor while drinking tea was as composed as ever. Her straight back, her precise movements, her perfectly controlled energy—she looked more like a scholar who had spent his life studying literature and the Way than a martial artist.

‘Impressive.’

Gong Gong Dae-sa, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, could sense it. How extraordinary Yeon-wi’s natural state was.

Reaching the realm of Limitless Extremes meant that a person who had been bound to the earth had now soared to a position between heaven and earth.

Yet, Yeon-wi was the same as before. She showed no sign of a different aura, a different gaze, or a different manner.

‘Does this mean her innate talent and training were already aligned with the Limitless Extremes?’

Yeon-wi put down her teacup and said,

“So, what brings the busy Alliance Leader to visit a humble person like me?”

Gong Gong Dae-sa chuckled.

“That’s a disappointing thing to say. Aren’t we comrades of the Martial Alliance?”

“Haha.”

“I may hold the title of Alliance Leader, which doesn’t suit me, but I am well aware that it’s just a stepping stone for the next generation. So, please don’t tease me too much, Clan Leader.”

“That was not my intention.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa, who had been looking at Yeon-wi with a smile, soon hardened his expression and sighed.

“Even though it’s just a stepping stone, there’s never a day when the Alliance Leader isn’t busy. I’m even conscious about coming to have tea with a close friend like you.”

“…….”

“You’re right, Clan Leader. How nice would it be if I had just come to relax and have tea with you?”

Yeon-wi said calmly,

“Do you have a task for me?”

“The Three Cults have many strange and mysterious techniques.”

It was an abrupt statement, but Yeon-wi listened without showing any surprise.

Gong Gong Dae-sa took out a document from his pocket and handed it to Yeon-wi.

“This is a detailed report written by the strategist based on the report from the Medical Sage. Take a look.”

Yeon-wi read the document.

After a while.

“The Imperial Palace?!”

“That’s right.”

“Is the Divine Flame Cult Leader doing this himself?”

“That’s what they say.”

It was a report that could shake the heavens and the earth, but Yeon-wi’s energy remained undisturbed. Only her gaze changed slightly.

Admiring Yeon-wi’s composure, Gong Gong Dae-sa said,

“They say he appeared using a technique called ‘Transformation Art’ [a technique that allows one to change their appearance]. There’s something called ‘Sacred Flame Powder,’ and although I don’t know what it is, it’s said to be a sacred object of the Divine Flame Cult. It’s extremely difficult to manufacture, and the amount produced at one time is very small, so they don’t use it unless it’s a very important matter.”

It meant that they had contacted them using such a precious treasure.

Yeon-wi shook her head.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that this is a deception by the Divine Flame Cult.”

“Of course. The strategist thought so too.”

“…….”

“However, we also received a message from Wudang.”

“You mean the Wudang Sect?”

“Yes. And it was directly from Sword Immortal Tak Mu-ja.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes widened.

Sword Immortal Tak Mu-ja was the idol and goal of all swordsmen in the world. Yeon-wi was no different.

“Tak Mu-ja said he met with Tongcheon Jin-in.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa calmly conveyed the contents of the letter.

The corruption and negotiation of Tongcheon Jin-in, the conversation with Tak Mu-ja, and the movements of the Divine Flame Cult Leader.

After hearing the whole story, Yeon-wi realized that this matter was truly unusual.

“The Three Cults were the main force behind the Blood Cult Rebellion three hundred years ago, weren’t they?”

“That’s right.”

“In other words, the Three Cults can be considered branches of the Blood Cult.”

“To be precise, they were said to be three noble families that supported the Blood Cult.”

After a moment of thought, Yeon-wi spoke after a quarter of an hour.

“It’s hard to believe that there’s been an internal conflict within the Three Cults.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa nodded.

“I think so too. But the strategist seems to think differently.”

Yeon-wi turned her head.

From afar, a familiar presence was approaching. It was a fast pace, but it was the unique movement technique of Jeagal Mun-ho, who never lost his composure.

After a while.

“Alliance Leader.”

“You’ve arrived?”

Jeagal Mun-ho sat next to Gong Gong Dae-sa.

“Have you heard everything?”

Yeon-wi nodded silently.

Jeagal Mun-ho nodded back and continued,

“It seems there’s a rift in the Three Cults.”

“Isn’t it possible that it’s a deception?”

“Of course, it could be. But the fact that Tongcheon Jin-in tried to negotiate with the Sword Immortal makes it less likely to be a deception.”

“Hmm.”

“If they were planning to lure the Sword Immortal or other masters to the Imperial Palace to attack them, there would be no reason for Tongcheon Jin-in to personally visit the Sword Immortal. They could just spread rumors that the Imperial Palace is in danger.”

To lure an enemy and defeat them, it was essential to have complete control of the target location. In other words, if they had really occupied the Imperial Palace, there would be no reason for Tongcheon Jin-in to come and ask to kill the Divine Flame Cult Leader.

“That makes sense.”

“The Transformation Art and Sacred Flame Powder are not really our concern. We can guess how powerful they are from the Medical Sage’s words, but we need to look at the timing rather than the mysterious techniques of the Divine Flame Cult.”

“Timing?”

“The Sword Immortal said that Tongcheon Jin-in lost his divine divination skills and some other techniques and became possessed by a minor god called the Blood God. Frankly, we can’t say anything for sure because we haven’t seen him ourselves.”

“That’s right.”

“However, if he went to see the Sword Immortal in person, we should assume that his abilities are still outstanding, even if it’s just out of audacity.”

“That’s also true.”

“It’s not that far from here to Mount Wudang in Hubei. And it was five days ago that the Sword Immortal and Tongcheon had a conversation, and the Medical Sage sent this report just half a day ago.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes flashed.

“The timing is too off.”

“That’s right.”

Jeagal Mun-ho said calmly,

“The Medical Sage said that her brother, who appeared using the Transformation Art, is the Vice Cult Leader of the Divine Flame Cult and has great ambition due to his heaven-sent talent. He has sometimes made mistakes due to his excessive greed and pride, but his talent is so outstanding and his position is so secure that it has never been a problem.”

“Hmm.”

“Again, we can’t just react without seeing it for ourselves. However, if he contacted his half-sister, whom he had rejected, due to his strong pride, it seems that something has definitely happened.”

“Decisively.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes deepened.

“The Three Cults wouldn’t think they would lose in a fight against the Central Plains.”

Jeagal Mun-ho smiled.

“You always understand so quickly.”

“In other words, the strategist thinks that there’s no reason to use such a reckless deception.”

“That’s right.”

Jeagal Mun-ho sighed.

“Actually, it’s hard to be sure because it’s all based on circumstantial evidence.”

“When it comes to those guys, we’ve never moved with any solid evidence.”

“That’s also true. However, this is the first time something has happened that could have such a huge impact, which is what worries me.”

If the Divine Flame Cult Leader kills the Emperor and occupies the Imperial Palace?

If that were true, it would be no ordinary matter. It would be the most significant event the Three Cults have ever caused.

Even if we send outstanding masters at the right time, it’s clear that the Imperial Palace will be devastated. Also, if such a force moves, it’s impossible for the news not to spread, and the public sentiment, seeing the Imperial Palace attacked twice, both openly and secretly, will plummet.

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

Yeon-wi tilted her head.

“Even if there was an internal conflict, why would Tongcheon Jin-in go directly to the Sword Immortal and ask him to kill the Divine Flame Cult Leader?”

“You’ve reached that point as well.”

“Even if they are confident that they will never lose in a fight against the Central Plains, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to just kill someone like the Divine Flame Cult Leader. They would try to persuade him somehow, and if that didn’t work, they would try to resolve it among themselves.”

Gong Gong Dae-sa, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

“The Sword Immortal wrote these words in his letter.”

“What words?”

“He said that if he killed the Divine Flame Cult Leader, he would kill himself.”

Yeon-wi frowned.

“What does that mean…?”

“It seems there was some kind of situation between the Sword Immortal and Tongcheon Jin-in. The important thing is that Tongcheon Jin-in’s death would be a great help to us.”

“…….”

“The Sword Immortal himself said that he couldn’t read that guy’s mind. So, the negotiation at that time broke down.”

“Hmm.”

Yeon-wi’s face hardened.

“If he came without expecting the negotiation to break down and revealed the Divine Flame Cult Leader’s purpose, then Tongcheon Jin-in is truly a fool.”

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

“Amazing. I wondered where Yeon So-bu-ju’s smart mind came from, but it must have been inherited from the Clan Leader.”

“The important thing is that in a negotiation discussing a major event of the world, he wouldn’t have come without considering the consequences of it breaking down.”

“We think so too.”

“Then…”

Yeon-wi looked at Jeagal Mun-ho.

Jeagal Mun-ho nodded.

“Yes. It means that there’s nothing to lose by revealing it.”

“……!”

“In other words, it’s not that the Divine Flame Cult is trying to take a solitary path among the Three Cults, but rather that it’s the Divine Flame Cult Leader’s solitary decision.”

In any religious organization, the words of the cult leader are absolute to the followers.

If the cult leader moves, the followers move. If the cult leader steps down, the followers step down. In other words, the cult leader is like a god who can move the entire organization of the religion.

But the Divine Flame Cult remains the same, and it’s only the Divine Flame Cult Leader’s solitary decision to attack the Imperial Palace.

“We can’t just sit back and watch, but it’s also awkward to move… If we’re not careful, we’ll end up taking the blame for everything.”

Jeagal Mun-ho opened his mouth.

“Therefore, I ask for your help, Clan Leader. You have a connection with His Majesty the Emperor, so I would like you to go to the Imperial Palace once again.”

As if he expected it, Yeon-wi nodded.

“Of course, I have to go if His Majesty is in danger. But will I be enough on my own?”

Currently, Gwanghon Guigun is in the Imperial Palace. It has already been a month since he went back to the Imperial Palace after visiting Mukryong Bu-ju Yang Cheon.

However, we don’t know how powerful the Divine Flame Cult Leader is, nor can we be sure how many troops he will bring. Even if he acts alone, it’s unlikely that all the masters of the Divine Flame Cult would ignore their leader.

It was Gong Gong Dae-sa who answered Yeon-wi’s question.

“So, after receiving the message from the Sword Immortal five days ago, I immediately sent a letter to Honam. Right now.”

“Honam, you mean…?”

Yeon-wi’s eyes widened.

“Could it be?”

“How can we just sit back and watch when someone who is the ruler of a country and will soon be your father-in-law is in danger?”

“……!”

“They’ve even set a date, so the marriage is practically done. If he doesn’t move when his wife’s parents are in danger, the title of ‘Fighting King’ will be a joke.”

“…Huh!”

Jeagal Mun-ho bowed his head.

“Fighting King Yang Cheon has moved. Please go to the Imperial Palace with him.”