Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 980

“That’s really out of the blue.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to be sorry.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“But why the Emperor?”

Rather, the fact that Yeon Ho-Jeong could easily mention the Emperor and act as if it was nothing was more shocking to Jeagal Jun.

‘Well, he is my brother.’

He was the best problem solver in the martial world, who had succeeded in all sorts of seemingly impossible missions. Moreover, he was a genius who had reached the Supreme realm before the age of thirty, and a prodigy who had surprised the world by intervening in the imperial palace affairs beyond the martial world.

Just listing the things he had solved, it was not strange for him to be above any name in Seongcheon [a fictional place]. Jeagal Jun thought that his reputation was far less than what he had accomplished.

‘And yet, he is not intoxicated by his fame and is running around the world to solve the problems at hand. Under the belief that he must do so.’

It would not be easy for anyone to do this. Especially if one gained fame for discussing the world at a young age, one would be intoxicated by that fame and become arrogant.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had no such pretense or boasting.

Jeagal Jun opened his mouth.

“After hearing the news that the Shin Hwa Cult [a fictional cult] was targeting the imperial palace, Lord Yeon, Lord Peng, and even the Vice-Chief of the Muk Ryong Unit [a fictional military unit] headed to the imperial palace.”

“Yes, I know.”

Yang Cheon could be said to be Yeon Ho-Jeong’s master to the outside world. Calling Yang Cheon the Vice-Chief of the Muk Ryong Unit was not out of disrespect, but because he had clearly stated his affiliation.

“Unless the entire Shin Hwa Cult comes forward, it will be difficult to break through the small but solid righteous and evil allied forces.”

“Moreover, the imperial palace’s power is enormous. It’s a situation where all sorts of poisons, cannons, and even soldiers are gathered.”

“Yes. Unless the entire Shin Hwa Cult comes forward, it will be difficult to break through.”

“Hmm.”

“But, the person who actually stepped forward is the leader of the Shin Hwa Cult.”

“Yes, I know that too.”

“To me, it’s so far away, it’s a realm so distant that I wonder if I could ever get close to it even if I trained in martial arts my whole life. In your eyes, Brother, is the martial power of the Shin Hwa Cult leader at a level that can break through the imperial palace’s defenses and reach His Majesty?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought of the leader of the Sa Eum Cult [a fictional cult].

He was strong. He was strong, thorough, and ruthless. Furthermore, the martial arts he had trained were so threatening that a master of equal skill would likely be defeated.

If the leader of the Gwang Hyeol Cult [a fictional cult] and the leader of the Shin Hwa Cult were on par with such a Sa Eum Cult leader, then their martial prowess could truly be said to have reached the heavens.

“The possibility is high enough.”

“Ah.”

Jeagal Jun’s eyes trembled.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s father, Yeon Wi, was also a supreme master who had reached the Supreme realm. Even with the addition of the Fighting King Yang Cheon and the Mad Ghost Lord Gok Gyeong, he was saying that it was still highly possible.

‘Is it to that extent?’

If the martial arts of the three cult leaders were that great, then no one would know how this war would turn out.

“Truly, there is a heaven beyond heaven.”

“It is a heaven beyond heaven, but that doesn’t mean it overwhelms Father and Master. The difference in skill between people who have reached that level is both large and subtle. The high possibility of breaking through also means a high possibility of being blocked. It’s a battle of demigods where the future cannot be predicted.”

“…I see.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“But you were asking about the Emperor and suddenly asked about the Shin Hwa Cult leader.”

“Actually, I have more than one or two questions.”

“I guess so. So, why the Emperor?”

Jeagal Jun sighed.

“I heard from Father. That the Emperor had been neglecting state affairs and indulging in women and wine for a long time was to prepare for a decisive moment.”

“There are many things that have been omitted, but yes, that’s right.”

“If Lord Yeon, Lord Peng, and my sister had not been sent at that time, would His Majesty still not have shown his true self?”

“I don’t know why you’re asking, but that’s unknowable. However, from what I saw, His Majesty had already reached his limit. You could say he was at a point where he could no longer endure.”

“Was that so?”

“He looks like he’s in his middle age, but in reality, he’s at an age where he could pass away at any time. He has endured and lived for decades to spread his wings again, but he has already entered old age, so it’s only natural for a person to feel impatient.”

“……”

“No one can defy the lifespan of a human. There is no one in the world who can control lifespan.”

Unless they used the tricks and shortcuts of the Left Path [a term for unorthodox or evil martial arts practices].

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t bother to say the last part.

“Hoo, that’s good.”

He managed to finish the porridge while talking. Yeon Ho-Jeong let out a deep breath.

“I didn’t even realize I was hungry, but now that I’ve eaten, I feel energized.”

“I hope His Majesty lives longer than anyone else.”

“Hmm?”

“While taking the lessons of the young lord, I learned a lot about the empire’s governance.”

“I guess so. It’s the Jeagal family, after all.”

“Before he indulged in women and wine, His Majesty’s abilities were more outstanding than any other monarch in history. He was truly the greatest wise ruler of all time. At least, that’s how I see it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought of the Emperor.

The dragon eyes that concealed his curiosity and seriousness towards the world, his guilt towards the common people, and his self-loathing with overwhelming dignity and composure.

‘He’s an amazing person.’

He had been laughing, joking, and indulging in women and wine for decades while watching the imperial palace being stained by the enemy’s forces.

It was not a time that a sane person could endure. But the Emperor had done it.

That alone was enough to make the Emperor worthy of praise. To not go crazy and not give up until the end, to endure hardship for decades, was close to impossible.

“I hope His Majesty regains his health and fulfills his ambitions for the sake of the world.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Even if the martial world disappears?”

“Yes?”

“If the Emperor were to eliminate the martial world and create a true empire for the sake of the people, would you still be able to support him?”

Confusion filled Jeagal Jun’s face.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Hmm?”

“To live for the people, to sacrifice for the people. That is the ultimate goal of our righteous sects. The words ‘chivalry’ and ‘justice’ are always based on the people and are also their goals, aren’t they?”

“……”

“No matter what form the world takes, if it becomes an environment where the common people can live better, what does the martial world or the Jianghu [the martial world] matter?”

Look at this guy?

Yeon Ho-Jeong stared at Jeagal Jun with surprised eyes.

He was the young lord of the prestigious martial family, the Jeagal family, and a guy who was already expected to become the head of the family due to his outstanding talent.

For such a guy to think of the people stubbornly, without any worldly desires, was truly amazing.

“Your father and sister are wise and intelligent people. They also have a stubbornness that never compromises on what they believe is right.”

“……”

“Now I see that that spirit is the family tradition, the blood itself.”

Jeagal Jun looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a bewildered expression.

Yeon Ho-Jeong put his arm around Jeagal Jun’s shoulder and walked.

“Let’s go get another bowl of rice.”

“Yes? Ah, yes. But, Brother.”

“What are you so curious about again?”

“…Are they going to be okay? The righteous and evil allied forces.”

When Moyong Woo asked, Yeon Ho-Jeong said that worrying about the warrior Yeon Wi was an insult to him.

But it was different now.

Just as a son, he was worried about his father.

“They have to be okay. They must.”

* * *

Yeon Wi, who was drinking tea, suddenly jumped up in surprise. Yang Cheon was the same.

Gi Cheon-Woong and Peng Mu-Gang were puzzled by the two men’s sudden actions.

“What’s wrong?”

Yeon Wi’s eyes trembled.

“This energy is…”

Tension rose on Yang Cheon’s face as well.

“It’s incredibly deep.”

Gi Cheon-Woong’s eyes flashed.

“It seems a great master is coming.”

It was not just great.

Two calm yet deep energies carried by the wind.

It was an energy that made one feel the greatness of the person itself, not their martial power. Since martial arts were connected to life, one could infer a person’s life based on the nature of the martial arts they displayed, but the energy of the two people felt now was completely opposite.

They had lived more righteously than anyone else. They had lived more chivalrously than anyone else, and they had also lived more sacrificially than anyone else.

Such a life was clearly reflected in their energy. The martial power felt was enormous, but it was the prayer of a saint that made one not even think of measuring the magnitude of that great martial power.

And from those two streams of energy, Yeon Wi and Yang Cheon could infer who the opponents were.

“Let’s go out.”

Yeon Wi’s eyes sparkled.

“They will soon reach the front of the imperial palace.”

Pang Mu-Gang asked in confusion.

“Who are they that you are saying that? And before that, the imperial palace is not a place where just anyone can…”

“They are not just anyone. There will be no need to wait for permission.”

Yang Cheon sighed.

“Immortals…”

How much time had passed?

Behind countless guards, four masters stood.

Beyond that.

Two masters with invisible, yet magnificent energy were approaching.

Now, even Gi Cheon-Woong and Peng Mu-Gang could feel it. How overwhelming the presence of the masters approaching from afar was.

After a while.

After passing through several checkpoints, the guards cleared the way to the left and right.

“……!!”

Yeon Wi’s eyes trembled.

The people who appeared were two old men. But their appearances were very different.

One was an old monk with a thin body and a rich robe, and the other was a Taoist with the appearance of an immortal, but with a face that looked young.

The old monk smelled of the incense of a mountain temple.

The old Taoist smelled of the fresh scent of a forest.

The old monk’s energy reminded one of a huge mountain. Without a strong and dignified feeling, it reminded one of a mountain peak that would always be there.

The old Taoist’s energy reminded one of flowing clouds. Without a cloudy or ambiguous feeling, it reminded one of the free clouds that were always flowing in their place when one looked up without realizing it.

Mountain and clouds. The two old men’s energies freely invaded each other without hesitation, yet they coexisted and did not obscure each other’s colors.

It was simply harmonious. The image of a great mountain rising through the mist spread all around, and just by looking at it, one’s heart calmed down, yet one’s heart raced as if one were standing before nature.

“Amazing.”

Unlike his thin appearance, the old monk’s voice was deep and calm.

“There is a majestic lion rampaging against the world, as well as a divine sword I have never seen before, and a sword with the aura of a fierce tiger. There are many extraordinary people in the world, but seeing such great juniors with my own eyes, I can finally feel the passage of time.”

It was a distant voice.

The voice, with a hint of laughter, was like the sound of Buddhist scriptures being recited with a calm mind.

Then the old Taoist said.

“The three of them are outstanding, but that master like lava is truly amazing. Just looking at his simple martial power, I can’t guarantee who would win even if he fought with you, you bald monk?”

“Don’t exaggerate. What about your skill that broke my precious rosary with one move of the Tai Chi Sword?”

The old Taoist tapped his head with his finger.

“I have something wrong here. I can’t fight, not with a monster like that.”

“It is interesting. Fortunately, unlike my worries, the imperial palace is intact.”

The old monk, Mu Heo Daesa, smiled and looked at Gi Cheon-Woong.

“Has the lava already hardened and become earth? Or are you keeping the black embers alive? Depending on your answer, I have to choose whether to relieve my travel fatigue or loosen my joints.”

Gi Cheon-Woong’s lips curled up.

“The Fist Saint and the Sword Immortal?”