Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 138 - A Rabble (2)
Chapter 138 – A Rabble (2)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Have you arrived.”
“Yes.”
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Hoho, let us do so.”
After a while, Murong Jun and Murong Yu sat with a table between them.
Murong Jun, who moistened his throat with tea, asked.
“How is the Heaven and Earth One Hundred and Eight Sword Interpretation?”
“It is difficult.”
Murong Jun smiled as if he knew everything.
“It is the greatest sword study that condenses hundreds of years of the Murong Clan’s history. I have learned it for nearly twenty years, but there is still a path to extend further.”
“I knew it was an endlessly inexhaustible sword formula.”
“You saw well. Directions, sword power, speed, arts, etc., even if you dig and dig, the end is not visible.”
“Thank you once again.”
“Hoho, there is no need for such stiff greetings between brothers.”
It was a strange thing to say.
Murong Jun probably spoke those words sincerely, but that was something he could say because Murong Yu said he would follow him. If Murong Yu had held out in Zhejiang until the end, they probably would not have seen each other until they died.
‘This is rather better.’
Murong Jun visited Murong Yu for several days and shared various conversations. He treated Murong Yu as if he was finally giving him the affection that had been delayed.
However, Murong Yu knew. That Murong Jun’s goodwill only applied to those within his own boundary.
‘Even though I knew, I was intoxicated for a moment.’
The brotherly affection had deepened. Murong Jun would think so, and Murong Yu also partially agreed.
However, every time he heard words tinged with a sense of incompatibility like this, he realized it once again.
‘Elder Brother is dangerous.’
His slightly shaken resolve became stubborn again.
“Will it be okay?”
“Pardon?”
“Even if you leave the Zhejiang Branch to your subordinate. For the time being, you will have to work under me.”
Murong Yu spoke confidently.
“My subordinate’s administrative abilities are even more outstanding than mine. Rather, they will be better at maintaining the branch’s business.”
“Hoho, is that so? If you give such an evaluation, they must not be an ordinary talent.”
Murong Jun nodded.
“Later on, depending on the situation, let us bring that person into the main family as well.”
“Pardon?”
“Hm? Hoho, what are you so surprised about. If it is your person, are they not also a person of the main family?”
Murong Yu, who was quietly looking at Murong Jun, nodded.
“Elder Brother will also like them.”
Murong Jun’s greed for talent was endless.
However, it was different from the Nine States Myeong Clan’s method of expanding their influence. He is greedy, but if he thinks it will cause a problem, he does not even glance at it. It was the reason Murong Jun was able to build up a stable foundation.
For a moment, Murong Yu stiffened his expression.
“Elder Brother.”
“Yes, speak first.”
“There is a part you mentioned before, right?”
“What is it?”
“The marriage… I mean.”
“Ah, you mean the eldest daughter of the Central Plains Bank?”
Murong Jun smiled and stroked his beard.
“Do not worry. I also saw that child once before, and her intelligence is outstanding and her beauty is also very fine. She is also young, so there will be no lacking for her to be your spouse.”
Honest embarrassment was cast on Murong Yu’s face.
“I have not yet prepared my heart…”
“Hoho, marriage is not a big deal. Once you get it done, you will wonder why you agonized over it.”
It was not that kind of problem.
However, to Murong Jun, it really seemed like it was no big deal. In reality, he too married after looking at his bride’s background and abilities.
That was not all. The world was like that.
It is a peaceful world, but this peace can be broken at any time. In turbulent times that have not ended, marriage with a powerful family might be essential.
“However, there might be a need to delay the marriage.”
“Pardon?”
Murong Jun took out a golden document from his bosom.
Murong Yu’s eyes widened.
“That is…?”
“It is the document of the Alliance Meeting drafted through the Honored Guests’ Council.”
“Is it okay to leak such a document outside?”
“Hm? Hoho! Is this not also the Murim Alliance. Do not worry too much.”
Leaking important documents outside was a felony regardless of one’s position.
‘He is trusting me.’
Murong Yu observed Murong Jun’s face.
Even though he leaked the document, he was not anxious at all.
‘He is trusting me. That even if the leaking of the document is caught, it will not be a problem.’
Unless one’s foundation within the Alliance is considerably solid, one cannot easily do such a thing. That much, Murong Jun was confident.
‘It is clear that he held hands with several heads of each faction in that short time. At least four or more…’
It was scary.
It was not just his personal martial arts and strategy that were outstanding. Murong Jun also had an expert opinion on politics, and those abilities worked even on the giants of the Murim who had experienced all sorts of hardships.
“What is the matter?”
“…It is nothing.”
Murong Yu read down the document.
His eyes flashed.
“The organizational chart under the Murim Alliance has been completed. Of course, it will take some time until all organizations are maintained.”
“…The mobile units are fast.”
“That is right. In the case of the independent mobile unit, we plan to select the wheat from the chaff among the martial artists joining the Alliance. It will probably be a great strength to you.”
Murong Yu’s eyes widened.
“However, the numbers are different.”
“Hm?”
“The personnel limit for the mobile unit I will take charge of and the mobile unit the eldest son of the Yeon Clan will take charge of are different.”
Murong Jun gave a cold smile.
“Of course it should be so. There is no need to give a large number to that side, right?”
The personnel limit of the mobile unit Murong Yu would take charge of was five hundred.
On the other hand, the personnel limit of the mobile unit Yeon Ho-jeong would take charge of was merely a paltry one hundred.
“Having a large number of people does not mean you can achieve good battle results. However, if abilities are similar, external factors are bound to exert great strength from then on.”
“…”
“Try disbanding or integrating that side’s mobile unit within two years. That is the first mission you will take charge of.”
“Understood.”
Murong Yu put down the document.
His eyes wavered somewhat, but his expression was stubborn. It meant he had his own confidence.
“Before that, I think there is something I must do.”
“Hm?”
Murong Yu looked out the window.
“I must meet the eldest son of the Yeon Clan.”
* * *
“Hmm, one hundred people.”
Yeon Wi sighed.
“I am sorry. I tried in my own way, but the result came out like this.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“You were displeased with the existence of the mobile unit in the first place, weren’t you?”
“That is why I opposed it. But if it is a mobile unit that is going to be created anyway, I wanted to give you strength.”
“Haha, it is fine.”
A sign of finding it interesting appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
“One hundred people is the limit…”
“In fact, looking at the activity clauses, it is not that small of a number.”
“Rather, it is a lot.”
“What?”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“I have no thoughts of deliberately filling up one hundred people. Of course, if useful people appear, I do want to recruit them, though.”
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“I do not know what you are thinking.”
“There is only one thing I am curious about.”
“What is it?”
“When can I leave the Alliance?”
Surprise lingered on Yeon Wi’s face.
“Are you already thinking of leaving the Alliance with the mobile unit?”
“Of course. I didn’t need up to a hundred people in the first place, but anyway, didn’t I get pushed back in numbers by that side? If so, I have no choice but to go out and establish battle merits even one day sooner.”
“Isn’t that too hasty? Furthermore, in order for the mobile unit to operate as a mobile unit, there must be a proper purpose.”
“Isn’t a purpose something you make?”
“…”
“…Is what I tried saying, but in fact, I think I just need to follow the Righteous Path.”
“Follow the Righteous Path?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
The goal he had envisioned since he brought the card of the independent mobile unit from Murong Jun.
“I plan to clean up the Unorthodox Path.”
“The Unorthodox Path Murim?!”
“That is right.”
It was probably the first time. For Yeon Ho-jeong to hide his true intentions from Yeon Wi.
“I will completely cut out the vicious sects of the Unorthodox Path that suck the blood of the people’s livelihood. Of course, even if they are not the Unorthodox Path, I just need to eradicate the existences that threaten the people’s livelihood.”
It is not like all Unorthodox Path martial artists live saying ‘I am the Unorthodox Path.’
Those who go against reason and clearly commit illegal acts. If such people are not the Unorthodox Path, what are they.
“It is not a bad thought. No, rather, it is good. If the power of the Orthodox Path Murim is concentrated in the Murim Alliance, the Unorthodox Path of each region is inevitably bound to flex their prestige.”
“That is right. I must start by cutting off those minor branches.”
“Hm.”
Yeon Wi observed his son’s expression.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled faintly.
“What is the matter?”
Yeon Wi could tell. That Yeon Ho-jeong was hiding something from him.
Now, he could see through his true intentions just by looking at his son’s expression and eyes. It was probably because the interaction between father and son was that deep.
“Do you have no other purpose besides that?”
“…”
He could not lie.
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.
“I do.”
“Alright, I understand.”
That was the end of it.
His desire to find out what purpose he had was like a chimney, but Yeon Wi did not try to dig any further.
Because if it was something he could say, he was not a guy who would deceive him in the first place. Yeon Wi did not want to torment his son.
However, he should receive one pledge.
“I will believe that it is not something that goes against reason and propriety.”
“At least it does not go against my moral principles.”
It was an ambiguous statement.
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Yes, that is enough.”
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed inwardly.
If it were up to him, he also wanted to reveal the existence of the Three Cults of Fanaticism. He wanted to say that because of that, not only the Orthodox Murim Alliance but also the Unorthodox Path must join forces together.
‘Still…’
But still.
‘It is not the time yet.’
He was a father he wanted to meet even if he died. He knew he was someone who would believe him no matter what story he told.
Still, it is not yet. When time passes and the true nature of the enemy becomes clear, it would not be too late to speak then.
‘For now, let’s focus on my work. There is not much time.’
Originally, the Three Cults of Fanaticism would invade the Central Plains more than twenty years later.
However, history had changed.
Due to Yeon Ho-jeong, just that one person, the Yeon Clan, which should have been annihilated, survived, the Nine States Myeong Clan collapsed faster, and the establishment of the Murim Alliance was also moved up.
This change was by no means small.
‘They might invade even later. Perhaps due to some incident, they might never covet the Central Plains for the rest of their lives. However…’
What if they had been preparing for the invasion from the past.
‘There is a possibility it might become faster, even if not immediately. Just thinking of that one thing, there is no time.’
The maximum leeway of the enemies Yeon Ho-jeong thought of was ten years.
He had to consider that the Three Cults of Fanaticism would advance into the Central Plains at least within ten years. Even assuming that and moving, it would not be enough.
In other words, within ten years, he had to make Murong Yu the Murim Alliance Leader and cultivate the Orthodox Path’s combat power, and at the same time, unite the power of the Unorthodox Path Murim to prepare for the war.
That was his goal and his mission. He thought the reason heaven gave him another chance was precisely for that.
Yeon Ho-jeong sincerely believed so.
“Whatever the case, I do not think there is a need to move too hastily. Right now, there isn’t even clear talk about how to select the mobile unit’s troops.”
“Do not worry. I have something in mind.”
“Hmm?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled brightly.
“They are not completely blind, and yet they are people capable of freely roaming the Jianghu. I do not know how many will gather, but I expect there will be at least thirty people.”
“Thirty people…”
Yeon Wi’s eyes flashed.
“Could you possibly?”
It was then.
The two people turned their gazes out the window at the same time.
Yeon Ho-jeong got up from his seat.
“I will be back.”
“…It seems to be a person of the Murong Clan.”
“That is right. It is probably my guest.”
The martial artist coming to the Destroying Army Pavilion was precisely Murong Yu.
‘It is a good thing I prepared it.’
Yeon Ho-jeong fumbled his chest. Inside it was a fairly thick letter.
It was a letter to be delivered to Murong Yu.
‘I believe you will do well even without me. Try to freely exert your abilities.’
Yeon Ho-jeong said to Yeon Wi.
“I will go talk to him for a moment and come back.”
“Okay.”
“And Father.”
“Hm?”
“Everything will work out well. Do not worry.”
Yeon Wi smiled. His unique awkward smile now looked quite natural.
“Do not cause any accidents, you punk.”