Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 996

“The Azure Lion Gate has moved.”

“What was the response from the Deputy Alliance Leader?”

“They refused. It seems they were told to come in person.”

“Typical of the Deputy Alliance Leader.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“It wasn’t an easy situation to just barge in. In that situation, the Deputy Alliance Leader, as the second-in-command of the Black Path, used the justification that our White Path values most. No one can openly say that the Deputy Alliance Leader was wrong.”

“Of course, that’s right.”

“However, the Azure Lion Gate moved faster than expected.”

“I heard the Lion Gate Lord is a cautious person. However, regardless of that caution, he is said to hate the Black Path very much.”

“Yes.”

“Even so, he’s a considerable figure. I didn’t expect him to move so quickly.”

“Because he is cautious, he sent someone to the Deputy Alliance Leader first. It seems he thinks of that person, Yeon Ho-Jeong, as the eldest son of the Yeon family, not just a minor master of the Muryong Clan.”

Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes clouded over.

“I can guess what Ho-Jeong is aiming for, but isn’t it still dangerous?”

If one only considered martial arts, there was almost no danger for Yeon Ho-Jeong, at least within the Martial Alliance.

However, what Yeon Ho-Jeong was doing now was not a fight with martial arts, but with justification and the prevailing atmosphere.

Even if he was the eldest son of the Yeon family and the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Muryong Clan, this was the Martial Alliance. If many sects started to denounce Yeon Ho-Jeong, even he would be in a difficult position.

Furthermore, if the situation became urgent, the Martial Alliance would have no choice but to take somewhat coercive measures. If those measures were not reasonable, a real civil war could break out. That was what Jeagal Ayeon was worried about.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been looking through documents, leaned back in his chair.

“Let me ask you something.”

“Yes.”

“What was the reason we have been enduring and not suppressing the strong public opinion against the Black Path until now?”

He was asking not as a military strategist, but as the head of the Jeagal family.

Jeagal Ayeon answered clearly.

“Because we believe this was started by spies from the Three Teachings [a collective term for Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism].”

“That’s a decisive reason, but not the fundamental one.”

“Additionally, it’s because it’s not a fire that can be extinguished by simply putting it out. The Alliance might become noisy, and in severe cases, it might even split, but it’s to subdue the instigators with a single decisive move.”

“To subdue the instigators, to let them know that now is not the time for this, and to unite them all, that’s why we have been enduring.”

“Yes.”

“But Ho-Jeong doesn’t need to do that.”

Not the Deputy Alliance Leader, but Ho-Jeong.

Jeagal Ayeon asked back.

“Why?”

“Ho-Jeong is the eldest son of the Yeon family and the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Muryong Clan. But people only see the external titles and origins, and they don’t properly recognize what’s beyond that.”

“Beyond that…?”

“A person who could rise to the position of the next head of the Six Great Families [influential martial arts clans].”

Whether he actually becomes the head or not is unknown, but as the eldest son and with his outstanding martial arts, it’s natural to think so.

“Or, a person who could become the next head of the Muryong Clan.”

“… !”

“Not just the head of the Muryong Clan, but a disciple chosen by one of the people of Seongcheon [a legendary realm of martial arts], and he himself is a super master who has made a name for himself in Seongcheon, almost invincible.”

Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes wavered.

When she heard it spelled out like that, she realized anew how formidable Yeon Ho-Jeong was.

“People only see what they want to see. It’s even more so when emotions run high. So, they see Ho-Jeong as a great talent, but they don’t recognize him as the core that moves the world.”

“They don’t recognize that?”

“They know it in their heads. But they haven’t realized it or accepted it in their hearts.”

“Ah!”

“Look at the Red Spear Sect Lord this time. He knew that Gang Ryang and Jin Yang were Ho-Jeong’s companions, but he still stood by. I heard that when Ho-Jeong came in person, he was quite confident at first.”

“It’s just absurd.”

“But the Red Spear Sect Lord wasn’t stupid until the end. He couldn’t be. Because Ho-Jeong ‘understood’ the Red Spear Sect Lord. He made him understand what kind of person he was and how far he could go.”

“… !”

“Isn’t it strange? No matter what, considering what Ho-Jeong has done and resolved, how can people not know that?”

“Yes.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho shook his head.

“The reason you and I see Ho-Jeong from a different perspective than the general public is because we are acquaintances.”

“…?”

“Right now, the rumor in the martial world is that Ho-Jeong has made great contributions in matters related to the Three Teachings. The reason the Three Teachings haven’t been able to invade the martial world is because Ho-Jeong acted quickly and crushed all their strategies, tactics, and even their high-level masters.”

“That’s… the truth, isn’t it?”

“It’s the truth. There was help from many people, but that’s not important. What’s important is that Ho-Jeong moved faster than anyone else and played the most crucial role in every incident.”

“That’s right.”

“But people don’t know that.”

“What?!”

“They know Ho-Jeong is a talented person. They know Ho-Jeong repelled the infiltration of the Three Teachings. But that’s all. They don’t know where Ho-Jeong did what, how much he sacrificed to drive them out, and how frantically he crossed the continent.”

“Ah!”

Jeagal Ayeon exclaimed.

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled bitterly.

“I subtly told Ga Deuk-Sang’s successor not to spread detailed rumors about Ho-Jeong.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Do you know why your father did that?”

Only then did Jeagal Ayeon realize how the situation was unfolding.

“Because people wouldn’t believe it.”

“Exactly.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong had accomplished so many things that one person could not have imagined handling. He had succeeded in almost everything, walking the line between life and death and even using his dragon arts, doing things that even ten unparalleled heroes could not have done.

Exaggeration must be moderate to be believed. If the exaggeration becomes too much, people will distrust it, and if it becomes even more severe, they will not only dismiss it as a rumor but even reject it.

“When the Deputy Alliance Leader first entered the Alliance after becoming the Deputy Alliance Leader, many martial artists welcomed Ho-Jeong’s entry. There were many who were angry at his unusual move, but they couldn’t dare to speak out.”

“Because Ho-Jeong succeeded in diplomacy even while sacrificing himself.”

“That’s right. I tried to make that fact more prominent. Of course, if Ho-Jeong hadn’t been running around for the sake of the world, the martial artists would have been indifferent to such information.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“As time passes, people forget heroes and only look back at their own emotions. That’s why they are now glaring at Ho-Jeong, a master they can’t dare to handle.”

“…”

“And I was like that too.”

“Father.”

“Moyong Clan Lord is right. I took Ho-Jeong’s existence too much for granted. So, I thought he could always choose sacrifice.”

“That’s not true.”

“No, unconsciously, I must have had that thought. That’s why I let it go. With the excuse, or rather, the justification of being for the sake of the Martial Alliance.”

Jeagal Ayeon had nothing to say to her father’s calm self-criticism.

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes sparkled.

“I won’t do that anymore. Fortunately, I realized it quickly thanks to the appearance of Ho-Jeong and Moyong Clan Lord. But people are different. They are bound by a strong chain of hatred that supports each other.”

“It’s unlikely, but… could Ho-Jeong be in danger?”

“What do you think?”

“With Ho-Jeong’s abilities, that’s unlikely. However, because Ho-Jeong’s choices are somewhat overbearing and unconventional, even if the big result is good, there will still be those who are dissatisfied.”

“You can’t satisfy everyone. You can only satisfy the majority.”

“…”

“Also, I have no intention of satisfying the majority.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s expression turned cold.

“I just intend to show them reality. Because he knows that, Ho-Jeong has once again entered the dirty and filthy wilderness.”

* * *

“I am Hang Yo.”

The man who blocked Yeon Ho-Jeong and Jin Yang’s path while they were walking said so abruptly.

There were many people on the main street. Knowing that, he brought his subordinates and stood in front of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“Is that so?”

“I lead a faction called the Three Blades Gate.”

Three Blades.

True to the simple name of three swords, Hang Yo had as many as three curved swords hanging from his waist.

“Do you have business with me?”

“If I introduced myself, shouldn’t you also show some courtesy?”

“Are you saying we should exchange names?”

“That’s right.”

“Did you come without knowing who I am?”

Hang Yo frowned.

“Even so…”

“Looking at your expression and energy, it doesn’t seem like you came to laugh and chat, so don’t waste time and just say what you want to say.”

His attitude was extremely indifferent.

Hang Yo’s face turned red. The warriors standing behind him had somewhat stiff expressions.

“The rumors were true. A hot-tempered person with a lack of manners, who suddenly converted to the Black Path…”

“What do you think the position of the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Muryong Clan is?”

“What?”

“Do you think it’s at the level of a sect leader? Or below that?”

“…?”

“Actually, I don’t know either. I used to be obsessed with not causing trouble, but not anymore. Whether it’s at the sect leader level or not, what’s important is not the position, but how you live, isn’t it?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“What I’m trying to say is what I should be asking.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued calmly.

“If you’re going to block my path and talk with your neck stiff, it should be a serious matter that matches that.”

“Of course, it’s a serious matter. To be direct…”

“Also, as you said, you should speak with proper manners. The arrogance disguised as manners, being strict with others and lenient with yourself, doesn’t work with me.”

Hang Yo’s face hardened.

“Are you threatening me now?”

“If you take this as a threat, there’s no need to listen to your words any further.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong flicked his hand.

“Will you get out of the way? I have somewhere to go.”

“…”

“Shall I clear the way for you?”

His words were calm, making them even more intimidating.

Hang Yo’s eyes twitched.

“Really…”

“Are you curious if it’s three, five, or ten?”

What was he talking about out of the blue?

“One.”

In an instant, everyone’s faces hardened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sank.

“Two.”

Hang Yo opened his mouth without realizing it.

“Please come with us.”

Having blurted out the words urgently, Hang Yo’s face flushed with wounded pride.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“No.”

“…?!”

“Shall I count the next number?”

Hang Yo gritted his teeth.

“Isn’t this too much? Is it your manners to give an offensive and embarrassing speech to someone who came to talk?”

“You’ve spoken well. If someone blocks the road with a murderous aura and says they have business, who would have kind words to say?”

“Who’s murderous… !”

“Do you know who I am?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“I am someone who has made a name for myself in Seongcheon, even with my lacking martial power. Surely, you don’t think I got to that position without being able to read a single strand of subtle energy?”

Hang Yo’s face turned pale.

Not only him, but everyone who saw the scene turned pale.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly looking at Hang Yo’s face, smiled.

“Alright. I’ve changed my mind. Let’s have a conversation. I want to see what’s on your mind, appearing in front of the minor master of the Muryong Clan, one of the pillars of the Black and White Alliance, with a murderous face and even holding a sword hilt, just to talk.”

“…!!”

“Don’t even think about asking for a duel. The Martial Alliance’s finances are tight, and it’ll be a headache to rebuild the buildings.”