Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 961

“Alright, let’s rest here for a bit.”

“Is it alright to be so leisurely?”

“We’ve been sitting for a long time in a place filled with traces of the Buddha’s teachings that the investigators have realized. It was a good experience in its own way, but there were many times when I missed the air of the world.”

“You’re quite relaxed. At a time like this, when the Emperor of a nation is in danger.”

“Haha.”

Though he said that to the laughing old monk, Mu Heo, Tak Mu-ja knew that he was suggesting they rest from time to time because of him.

Whooong.

A bluish vein subtly bulged on Tak Mu-ja’s temple. His expression didn’t change, but inside, he was doing his best to control his damaged upper dantian [an energy center in the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine].

“Let me see.”

Mu Heo got up and went behind Tak Mu-ja.

Tak Mu-ja smiled wryly.

“It’s pathetic that a guy who has mastered Taoist martial arts is breathing with a Buddhist monk’s true energy.”

“It’s not the demonic path, so why are you so bitter? Taoism and Buddhism are only a hair’s breadth apart. Can’t you tell by how even the sensitive divine energy of your upper dantian is communicating?”

Mu Heo’s hand touched Tak Mu-ja’s Mingmen acupoint [a vital point on the lower back].

At their level, they could infuse energy without physical contact. However, they did this to read Tak Mu-ja’s internal condition more delicately.

After a while.

Whooong.

The golden true energy rippling from Mu Heo’s hand covered Tak Mu-ja’s body.

“Hoo-ooh.”

Tak Mu-ja took a long breath.

“How is it? Are you alright?”

“I’ve received it a couple of times, but it’s truly amazing. A thick golden true energy is forming a barrier in front of the outer wall of my damaged upper dantian.”

Admiration appeared on Tak Mu-ja’s face.

“I couldn’t do this with the Primal Martial Healing Method.”

The Primal Martial Healing Method was a secret technique of the Wudang [a famous Taoist martial arts school] that he had passed on to Gi Woo-hee.

Although it was called a secret technique, it was a true secret that could not be learned with just the incantation, so it would not be leaked to others unless they had a special ability. It was that mysterious of a study.

“The Primal Martial is better at controlling the upper dantian itself. However, there is no martial art that can match the Prajna [wisdom] when it comes to building a barrier and strengthening the dantian.”

The Prajna that Mu Heo was talking about meant the Great Prajna Power.

The Great Prajna Power, along with the Supreme Great Power, was known as the two great powers of Shaolin [a famous Buddhist martial arts school], the highest and strongest secret techniques of Mount Song.

Just as Beom Oh, who was said to be the closest to the next Divine Fist, had obtained the Great Prajna Power through his own enlightenment, Mu Heo had also awakened the Great Prajna Power long ago.

“I’ve injected more than before this time. It will last for about fifteen days.”

“That’s if I don’t do anything.”

“That’s right. If you actively use the divine energy of your upper dantian, the golden iron wall that has been erected will melt away quickly.”

Tak Mu-ja clicked his tongue.

“I feel like I’ve been given a limited life span.”

“Doesn’t it feel good? I’ve lived like that for a long time, and it wasn’t bad. It was a good experience to look back on my life.”

“Don’t talk about depressing things.”

Mu Heo laughed heartily.

“Even the Demonic Eye of the Tongcheon True Man won’t be able to see you. You can rest assured.”

“However, he might be able to deduce that you intervened.”

“That can’t be helped.”

Tak Mu-ja glanced at Mu Heo.

Seeing his old friend return in such a thin state, even Tak Mu-ja couldn’t help but be shocked.

But why? Rather than when he was covered in strong muscles before he went into seclusion to control the hellish energy, he seemed stronger now.

Even though his internal energy had decreased and his movements had become a little slower, he felt stronger. Even Tak Mu-ja, who was confident that he was second to none when it came to martial arts, could not clearly see Mu Heo’s change.

‘Did he gain another enlightenment?’

At that moment, Mu Heo, who had been leisurely looking at the distant mountains, asked.

“What do you think of the sudden actions of the Divine Flame Cult leader?”

Tak Mu-ja shook his head.

“I don’t know. Unless he’s a real immortal.”

“Tongcheon said that the Divine Flame Cult leader is trying to kill the Emperor.”

“Isn’t that why we’re going? Although I didn’t know I’d be going with you.”

“Do you really think he’s trying to kill him?”

“Hmm?”

Mu Heo stroked his beard.

“According to rumors, the leaders of the three religions have all accumulated martial power at the pinnacle of the martial world. I don’t know what their personalities are like since I’ve never met them, but as the heads of their respective religions and with their great martial power, I can assume that their pride is also very strong.”

“That’s probably true.”

“So, he’s coming to kill the Emperor himself? Of course, as the ruler of a nation, he is a more dignified opponent than anyone else, but the head of such a religion might consider the Emperor to be beneath him.”

Tak Mu-ja’s eyes sparkled.

“Are you saying that Tongcheon’s words are false?”

“It’s not a lie that he’s coming to the imperial palace. He’s actually on his way.”

“Then?”

“What I mean is, aren’t we looking at the situation too simply?”

“Hmm.”

“We don’t know how strong the Divine Flame Cult leader is, or what kind of person he is. Tongcheon said that he was planning to assassinate the Emperor, but we don’t need to completely believe that.”

“There is one thing that is certain. The Divine Flame Cult was clearly our enemy.”

“That’s true.”

“In fact, the Central Plains has seen a lot of bloodshed because of the warriors and spies from the Divine Flame Cult. If we hadn’t found and eliminated them in advance, more than half of the Central Plains, starting with the imperial palace, might have fallen into their hands by now.”

Mu Heo smiled wryly.

“Really, why are humans so insatiable?”

“I was like that, and so were you.”

“Haha, that’s right.”

Mu Heo got up from his seat.

“Anyway, I don’t believe everything Tongcheon says. Is it because I was controlling the hellish energy, which is the root of demonic energy? The voices of those related to demons are strangely difficult to trust.”

“Even without your experience, it’s hard to trust the demonic path.”

Tak Mu-ja also got up from his seat.

“How is it? Is your body feeling better?”

“Of course.”

“Alright, then let’s dash off like an arrow.”

Whoosh!

The two disappeared from their spot like smoke.

* * *

The Emperor’s eyes deepened.

“You want permission to advance the Divine Flame Cult into the Central Plains?”

“The word ‘permission’ sounds a bit off.”

Gi Cheon-ung rested his chin on his hand.

His deep blue eyes and the way he sat on the huge palanquin exuded a mixture of languor and dignity.

Whatever the reason, he had lived for a long time as the head of an organization, a religious one at that, so such dignity might have been created naturally even before his martial arts reached a high level.

The Emperor tilted his head.

“You want to live in the fertile lands of the Central Plains, it looks better to live here… I don’t think that’s the reason.”

“I’m someone who has never set foot on the mainland. The air is definitely better here, though.”

“I trust you understand that I have no choice but to doubt your intentions.”

“I suppose so.”

“Moreover, you came to the imperial palace out of the blue and smashed the gates, so isn’t that an excessively aggressive greeting, even if it’s meant to prove your abilities?”

“I thought it was necessary to show a somewhat forceful attitude. Let’s just say it was a final venting of frustration.”

The Emperor couldn’t understand.

‘Is he serious?’

He also had the ability to see into the hearts of others.

It wasn’t a natural divine power. Over the long years in the political arena of the imperial palace, he had developed the ability to grasp the true intentions of others with just a few words and glances.

An everyday life where he couldn’t relax for even a single day. He was even one of the few princes who had gone out into the world outside the imperial palace to see the reality of the continent. He had even been attacked by a group of bandits.

The mental eye he had honed in that way was often sharper than the mental eyes of those born with divine powers. Even when talking to the Yeon family, who were masters of their generation, there were hardly any moments when he couldn’t read their intentions.

But this guy?

‘He’s serious, though.’

He felt the deep sincerity that was melted into the words of the Divine Flame Cult leader, Gi Cheon-ung.

That’s why he couldn’t understand it even more.

From the way he spoke, it didn’t seem like he had been dreaming of living on the continent.

That in itself was surprising. He knew that one of the reasons why the three religions were aiming for the continent was because of its fertile land and abundant environment.

‘As expected.’

The Emperor had been unraveling the doubts that had arisen since he saw the bizarre technique of a human figure burning in a bronze brazier a while ago.

“Are you really the leader of the Divine Flame Cult?”

Gok Gyeong glanced at the Emperor. He couldn’t guess why he was reconfirming such an obvious fact, so he couldn’t understand his intention.

Gi Cheon-ung smiled.

“Of course, I am.”

“You didn’t know the identity of Eunuch Woo Heon.”

“……”

“Then, you probably don’t know that the so-called warriors of the Divine Flame Cult have infiltrated this land and caused chaos.”

“……”

“If those martial artists hadn’t driven them out in time, three-tenths of the Central Plains would not be functioning properly by now. Do you know that?”

“……”

“Your daughter is also in the Central Plains. I heard she’s an illegitimate child, but I don’t remember her name.”

It was the first time.

The gaze of Gi Cheon-ung, who had been silently listening to the Emperor’s words, changed in an instant.

“You’re talking about Woo-hee.”

“Gi Woo-hee. Yes, I think that was her name.”

“Woo-hee, Woo-hee…”

A bitter smile flashed across Gi Cheon-ung’s face, which had been full of languor.

“She must have had many wounds since she was young because of her incompetent father.”

“……”

The Emperor’s eyes deepened.

An incompetent father? He never expected to hear such words from the leader of a heretical cult.

Gi Cheon-ung closed his eyes and said.

“Do you know about the history of our cult?”

“I don’t.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t. You wouldn’t know how I became the leader of the Divine Flame Cult either.”

“……”

The Emperor silently looked at Gi Cheon-ung.

He didn’t know why Gi Cheon-ung was saying such things. But he knew one thing.

Gi Cheon-ung was regretting something now.

‘What?’

The path he had taken? Or the past when he struggled to become the leader of the Divine Flame Cult?

Or perhaps, his very existence?

Swoosh.

Gi Cheon-ung got off the palanquin.

Even though he was watching with his eyes wide open, he didn’t know how he got down.

The large wine cup in his hand remained as it was. He wasn’t wearing shoes, so he stepped onto the ground barefoot, but his feet didn’t get dirty even though he stepped on the dirt floor.

Tension spread across Gok Gyeong’s face.

Gi Cheon-ung, who had gotten off the palanquin, was very tall. He seemed taller than most young people these days. He seemed to be similar to or even a little taller than Yeon Ho-jeong, who was quite tall.

The golden hair that fell over his shoulders seemed to sway even though there was no wind. Each strand of his curly hair seemed to gather and look like an upside-down flame.

Gi Cheon-ung looked far to the northeast.

The man of fire from a strange country covered in ice, much further than the imperial palace, spoke in a calm voice.

“How did you become the ruler of a nation?”

“……?”

“You probably rose to that position after a fierce political struggle.”

“……”

“Still, your children don’t try to devour you, so as someone who seized power in a bloody family feud, you can be said to have been blessed by the heavens.”

The Emperor’s eyes wavered.

Gi Cheon-ung’s eyes clouded over.

“Fire is one. It refers to the phenomenon itself, which has no weight. Fire, which always wants to merge into one, constantly increases its size until it disappears, leaving only ashes behind.”

“……”

“In my generation, I don’t want to see such a sight anymore.”