Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 174 - Sweeping Demons and Annihilating Evil (4)
Chapter 174 – Sweeping Demons and Annihilating Evil (4)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Stop the political strife.
It was an unusual remark. Yeon Ho-jeong hadn’t even imagined that Master Kong-kong would say such words.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been staring blankly at Master Kong-kong, smiled and asked.
“Did you say you bestowed teachings upon Commander Murong?”
It was an out-of-the-blue remark, but Master Kong-kong answered relaxedly.
“I did.”
“You intended to give a gift to the heads of the two mobile unit troops prior to the departure.”
“I intended to do so, but it seems it was an unnecessary gift for you. Commander Murong has also achieved a level of mastery, but you are different again. You just haven’t achieved great success yet, but it feels like you’ve already completed your own school.”
He wasn’t talking about the Four Gods Martial Arts.
The point was how one trains the martial arts they are learning in their own way. It was the reason why the power and usage of the same martial art were completely different depending on the person using it.
“You seemed like a person who already knows what needs to be done to develop.”
It was an outstanding discerning eye.
Such a discerning eye isn’t cultivated just by learning good martial arts. It was an insight that could only be obtained by facing countless masters through a hundred battles.
Shaolin Temple. The myth of the Orthodox Murim called the best in the Central Plains in both Buddhism and martial arts.
Indeed, it seemed the head of such a sect wasn’t something just anyone could be.
Kuung.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who carelessly put down the Crazy Dragon Axe, shook his head.
“I didn’t get to see your original martial arts, Abbott, but it was still an impressive spar. Thank you.”
A strange light flashed in Master Kong-kong’s eyes.
He didn’t say Shaolin’s true martial arts or absolute arts. He specifically called it the Abbott’s martial arts.
It was a subtle difference, but looking at Yeon Ho-jeong’s deep eyes, Master Kong-kong was certain that he had already noticed.
“Could you see it?”
“Yes?”
“I’m talking about my martial arts.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded his head.
“I don’t know well, but it seemed you have a martial art you train separately.”
“Hehe.”
“Of course, that would also be Shaolin’s martial art. But…”
“But?”
Yeon Ho-jeong stroked his chin.
Having been lost in thought for a moment, he tilted his head and said.
“Are you perhaps thinking of compiling Shaolin’s martial arts, or creating another martial art?”
Surprise appeared on Master Kong-kong’s face.
“How did you come to have such a thought?”
“It’s just a feeling.”
“Heo!”
“Whatever the domain, when it reaches the extreme, it’s bound to return to the basics. But your martial arts contained a principle difficult to explain amidst simplicity.”
Yeon Ho-jeong stretched out his fist.
Paang!
It was a disciplined fist strike. The air in the area fluctuated.
“Principle is power. Power is emission, and emission is manifestation. And the person’s ideology and realization seep out within the manifested martial arts.”
“Are you saying you read my intentions by looking at the martial arts I manifested?”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded his head.
Master Kong-kong sincerely admired.
“The best rising star of the contemporary Murim, born and raised in Jiangdong, recognizes my dream that no one within the temple noticed.”
“Didn’t you do the same, Master?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m talking about calling me and Commander Murong out and giving us a spar. Wasn’t it because you wanted to know the sincere hearts contained within the martial arts we manifested, not simply to give us a gift.”
“…!”
“So did you read my sincere heart?”
Master Kong-kong, who had been quietly observing Yeon Ho-jeong, let out a sigh.
“I thought you were a Hidden Dragon waiting for the time to ascend to heaven, but were you already a fully grown Divine Dragon?”
“It is an excessive evaluation.”
“It’s not excessive. It’s truly not excessive. Martial arts are one thing, but your insight was already discussing the world.”
“That’s why it’s excessive.”
“Why?”
“Because my eyes are directed towards people, not the world.”
Master Kong-kong sighed.
“Directed towards people…”
Yeon Ho-jeong took a fist-palm salute.
“I don’t have a grandiose heart for the world, but at least I am a guy who knows how to care for my blood relatives. Do not worry too much.”
“Hehehe.”
“Then.”
Chulkung!
The appearance of Yeon Ho-jeong, who turned his body carrying the Crazy Dragon Axe on his shoulder, looked strangely lighthearted.
Master Kong-kong, who was looking at him slowly walking away, opened his mouth.
“Your answer?”
Yeon Ho-jeong stopped his steps.
“What answer are you talking about?”
“I requested you to stop the political strife with the Murong Clan Head.”
“Didn’t you call us because you wanted to know the hearts of the heads of the Demon-Sweeping and Evil-Annihilating Armies?”
“Of course that was the main purpose.”
“If you achieved your purpose, isn’t that fine?”
“So your answer?”
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his body again.
Master Kong-kong’s eyes were still clear and deep, but they contained a shred of chilliness.
“May I ask just one thing before answering?”
“Speak.”
“How did you know?”
Master Kong-kong burst into a hearty laugh.
“You wouldn’t know because you’ve never attended an honored guest meeting, but I tend to open my ears rather than my mouth during meetings.”
“…”
“Your ability to see through the opponent’s weaknesses was amazing. Did you say you can see it if you strive to kill the strong as the weak?”
“That’s right.”
“It’s the same for me. I am not skilled in politics. I was just busy observing who was leading the meeting and what they wanted.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
“Your discerning eye to recognize that just through observation is also not ordinary, Master.”
“I doubted it until before. No matter what, the head of the Six Great Clans is fighting a rising star who hasn’t bloomed yet? I thought it didn’t make sense commonly. It might be different if it were the Zhuge Clan Head.”
Master Kong-kong shook his head.
“But looking at Abbess Bok-ho’s reaction this time, I could be certain. That my thoughts were correct.”
“…”
“The Murong Clan Head and you are fighting fiercely. The fight between you two is shaking the entire giant group called the Murim Alliance.”
He was an amazing person.
Common sense soon gives birth to fixed ideas. Something out of common sense happening also aligns with the meaning that fixed ideas have been broken.
In other words, Master Kong-kong read the hidden bloody battle between Yeon Ho-jeong and Murong Jun just by observing people and reading the flow of the current situation.
Yeon Ho-jeong wore a faint smile.
“You are amazing.”
“I didn’t bring it up to hear praise. I just don’t want fighting.”
Master Kong-kong lowered his chin and stared fixedly at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Stop the political strife now.”
“Is it a warning?”
It was a provocative question.
“Will you stop if I say it’s a warning, and continue if I say it’s not?”
“Of course I won’t do that.”
“Then it’s a meaningless question.”
“It has meaning.”
“Why?”
“Because if this is a warning, it seems I would have to draw you into the political strife I am waging, Master.”
Master Kong-kong’s eyes shone.
“You wouldn’t be unaware that it’s a dangerous remark.”
“I risked my life from the moment I stepped into this game. It’s nothing new even if one arrow is added to a battlefield where spears and swords are flying.”
Master Kong-kong let out a sigh.
“Why on earth are you fighting with him?”
“Because I think he shouldn’t become the Murim Alliance Leader.”
“Wh-what did you say?”
He didn’t know this kind of answer would come out.
The startled Master Kong-kong asked.
“Are you saying the Murong Clan Head is aiming for the Murim Alliance Leader?”
“You knew he and I were waging a political strife, but didn’t you think about why that political strife happened?”
“…”
“The Murong Clan Head is a capable person. But he is also a person who is not satisfied unless he is the best. Until he rises to a position where he is satisfied himself, he won’t even blink an eye at the sacrifices of innocent people.”
“Then, is the reason you oppose the Murong Clan Head to prevent him from becoming the Alliance Leader?”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded his head.
“There are complex reasons, but for now, yes.”
It was a strange answer.
Since it was an unclear answer, the listener couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
“Hehe.”
Master Kong-kong’s laugh was extremely dejected.
“The Murong Clan Head is aiming for the Murim Alliance Leader… Then, the Zhuge Clan Head proposing the Vice-Alliance Leader position…?”
“I think concentration of power is not good. Whoever becomes the Alliance Leader, I think there should be a means to keep him in check.”
“In the Murim Alliance, there is a capable leadership led by the honored guests.”
“And there is also a person trying to draw those leaders to his side.”
“…!”
“No system can be perfect. I’ll just say that this was the best for now.”
In the past, when Murong Jun became the Murim Alliance Leader, Tang Kwan, who was in the same boat as him, became the Vice-Alliance Leader.
And the person who created that Vice-Alliance Leader position was Murong Jun.
It shouldn’t be like that.
It is right to create a position and institution not to plant one’s own people, but to prevent dictatorship as much as possible.
In other words, even if it’s the same Vice-Alliance Leader, it changes depending on who, when, and why they made it.
Master Kong-kong’s eyes deepened.
“What if the Murong Clan Head gives up on becoming the best?”
“…”
“Does it mean you will also stop if that happens?”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“Murong Jun will not stop. No matter who tries to stop him.”
“…”
“If you truly want to stop his rampage, Master, you’d be better off killing him. That is the only way.”
“I cannot do that.”
“Therefore, my political strife also has no choice but to continue.”
“That’s why I said ‘what if’. What if the Murong Clan Head abandons his ambition, what do you plan to do?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled brightly.
“From then on, starting with the solidarity of the Murim Alliance, I’ll have to strive to gather the strength of the Orthodox Path into one.”
A smile was cast over Master Kong-kong’s face.
“That answer is truly pleasant to hear.”
“Is that so.”
“I have understood your intention well.”
Yeon Ho-jeong said inwardly.
You won’t know, Master.
“Today’s spar was truly enjoyable. If there’s an opportunity later, let’s exchange blows once again.”
* * *
Three days later.
Kugugugung!
The north gate of the Murim Alliance, the Black Tortoise Main Gate, opened.
A vigorous voice echoed through the opened gate.
“The Demon-Sweeping and Evil-Annihilating Joint Force departs!”
Kureureureung.
The sound of horse hooves echoing across the earth was reminiscent of the sound of thunder.
It was the advance of a joint army of five hundred and fifty people, all composed of prominent martial artists. And at their forefront, Yeon Ho-jeong and Commander Murong were riding horses.
It wasn’t just the two of them. All the departing soldiers were riding majestic steeds.
Flash!
The Demon-Sweeping Army all wore antique armor.
It wasn’t heavy armor but light armor. As items thoroughly improved for ease of movement, it seemed they wouldn’t be a hindrance no matter what martial arts they used.
On the other hand, the Evil-Annihilating Army didn’t wear any armor. Their appearance, just in their original clothes they usually wore, looked natural even if not as majestic as the Demon-Sweeping Army.
Murong Yu asked while watching the front.
“How was it?”
“What?”
“I’m talking about the spar with the Abbott.”
“It was thrilling in many ways.”
“I think I know.”
“Did you properly train the Demon-Sweeping Army?”
“Immediate training was meaningless. I just put my effort into gathering our minds as one.”
“You did well. Clumsily trying to train them wouldn’t have yielded any gains.”
A subtle tension was cast over Murong Yu’s face.
“Have you finished all your tasks?”
Yeon Ho-jeong glanced behind.
“I’ve done as much as I could. Father and the other honored guest will take care of the rest.”
“I hope there won’t be any special incidents.”
“It’s fine. Let’s just focus on our own work now.”
Kugugugung!
The Black Tortoise Main Gate closed.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
“Shall we slowly start running?”
“Sounds good.”
Kureureureung!
The five hundred and fifty horsemen created a fierce vibration as they rode down the mountain path.
The destination was Shandong Province.