Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 23

The Guju Myeong Family.

A family that emerged three hundred years ago during the most chaotic yet prosperous period of the martial world. They aided the legendary master, the Four Directional Martial Emperor, in destroying the Blood Sect, earning great merit.

Later, they brought unique martial arts from beyond the borders and combined them with the martial arts of the Central Plains, creating their own unique techniques. Within two hundred years, they became known as the number one family under heaven. That was the history of the Guju Myeong Family.

The reason why the Guju Myeong Family was called the best under heaven was simple.

They were strong.

Their power was as great as the combined forces of two of the Seven Great Families, and their newly developed martial arts were considered superior to the secret techniques of the Seven Great Families. Their financial power was also unmatched by any single force, making the title of the best under heaven well-deserved.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was provoking the third young master of such a powerful family.

Myeong Ho-Rim’s eyes deepened.

“You’re the eldest young master of the Yeon Family, right?”

He knew well.

“First, as the most senior person at this gathering, I’d like to express my gratitude. For catching the runaway colt, that is. It was a bit too rough, though.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled involuntarily.

This guy, who looked to be in his mid-twenties, was talking about being an elder. The sight was quite amusing.

Myeong Ho-Rim ignored Yeon Ho-Jeong’s laughter.

“I can see that your martial arts are impressive. To subdue the eldest son of the Dang Family in one go, I now know how exaggerated the rumors about you were.”

The rumors about Yeon Ho-Jeong were well-known to those who knew.

A tiger father, a dog son.

The current head of the Yeon Family, Yeon Wi, was called the Judge’s Sword and was respected by the world. However, his eldest son, Yeon Ho-Jeong, was said to lack the talent and character to lead the family.

But the Yeon Ho-Jeong they saw today was very different from the rumors.

“However.”

Myeong Ho-Rim spoke in a reproving tone.

“No matter how much you want to prove yourself, you should distinguish between public and private matters. This is a gathering place, not a martial arts arena.”

“…….”

“Let’s clean up the surroundings first. Once the atmosphere calms down, I’ll go pour you a drink.”

“So.”

“Hmm?”

“You won’t play with me?”

The people around looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with dumbfounded expressions.

Myeong Ho-Rim burst into laughter.

“Playing with you isn’t difficult. But I’ll play with you with drinks and laughter. Ah! And you don’t have to worry about the glass you threw at me. Wasn’t it a mistake, as you said?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

Myeong Ho-Rim continued with a satisfied expression.

“Good, good. First, let’s move the Dang Family’s son…”

“If you don’t come, I’ll go.”

“What?”

Whoosh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong walked towards Myeong Ho-Rim.

He wasn’t using any footwork techniques, nor was he even running.

He was walking. So naturally.

But as he moved, it felt as if the heavy air was receding like a wave.

The atmosphere was so heavy and stifling that even those who tried to stop him hesitated. The moment Yeon Ho-Jeong moved, the air in the banquet hall seemed to become damp.

Myeong Ho-Rim’s eyes widened.

‘What is this?’

The distance wasn’t far.

He wasn’t being cautious either. Seeing him walk so leisurely, as if taking a stroll, made it seem like he had no intention of fighting.

But Myeong Ho-Rim felt as if all the nerves in his body were on edge. He wanted to say something, but the strange pressure prevented him from opening his mouth.

And then, Yeon Ho-Jeong came right up to Myeong Ho-Rim.

‘……!’

It was a close enough distance to strike if he extended his fist. Right there, Yeon Ho-Jeong stopped.

The two stared at each other.

Sssss.

A snake-like killing intent climbed up Myeong Ho-Rim’s neck.

It was subtle and flexible. But it was venomous. It was a vicious killing intent that felt like it would sink its fangs into his neck at any moment.

‘What kind of killing intent is this…?!’

Then, Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled slightly.

In that instant, Myeong Ho-Rim’s body reacted involuntarily.

Wham!

His fist swung straight for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

It was a punch without any preparatory movements. That’s why it was fast and sharp.

Thwack!

The fist he had thrown was immediately deflected upwards.

But Myeong Ho-Rim didn’t stop his attack. The killing intent that was coiling around his neck was urging him to follow up.

His fists moved swiftly.

Pow pow pow!

It was a series of punches that shattered the air in the narrow space. It was the Iron Chain Strike, a technique that the Myeong Family was proud of.

It wasn’t exactly a secret technique, but it was a martial art that was very effective in close-quarters combat. He had reacted instinctively to the killing intent, but it seemed like he had restrained himself in the process.

Yeon Ho-Jeong also responded immediately.

Thud! Thwack! Thump! Crack!

The two’s fists, palms, and elbows collided, making a sound like drums being beaten.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes widened.

‘That fist technique is?’

The fist technique that Yeon Ho-Jeong was using to counter Myeong Ho-Rim’s Iron Chain Strike was a martial art that Yeon Ji-Pyeong was also familiar with.

‘The Yeon Family Thirteen Fists?!’

That’s right.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s resilient fist technique was the Yeon Family’s basic fist technique, the Yeon Family Thirteen Fists. But it was very different from the Yeon Family Thirteen Fists that Yeon Ji-Pyeong knew.

‘He’s, he’s using it like that!’

The Yeon Family Thirteen Fists were originally meant to subdue rather than kill the enemy.

But no one used the Yeon Family Fists for subduing. The Yeon Family warriors learned the Yeon Family Fists to develop their flexibility and strong lower body, not to fight enemies.

In other words, it was a fist technique that was not suitable for combat. But his brother was using a fist technique that was close to gymnastics to skillfully block the Myeong Family’s close-quarters combat techniques.

‘No. It’s not just blocking…’

He was actually pushing back.

Pow pow pow!

Myeong Ho-Rim took a step back. At the same time, Yeon Ho-Jeong advanced strongly.

Bang! Thump thump!

A series of three short, sharp punches followed by a powerful long fist.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes trembled.

‘One Stroke Clearing the Slope!’

Thwack!

“Hmm.”

Myeong Ho-Rim took two more steps back.

Actually, it was closer to being pushed back than stepping back. The long fist that was unleashed after completely deflecting the dense attacks of the Iron Chain Strike was so powerful that it could break bones.

Myeong Ho-Rim looked down at his forearm.

The well-trained forearm was swollen and red. If he had blocked it improperly, his bone would have been broken.

‘He’s strong!’

To have his arm almost broken by a punch that didn’t even have proper internal energy.

‘This can’t be.’

It wasn’t a high-level fist technique at first glance. Yet, he had pushed him this far with such a martial art.

It was an incredibly detailed use of techniques. It was a level that wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the use of a top master.

“Hey.”

Startled, Myeong Ho-Rim looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had his hands behind his back, had a displeased look on his face.

“Is that all you’re going to do with this childish play?”

“…….”

“Should I press you with the intention to kill to make you come out?”

Myeong Ho-Rim’s cheek twitched.

He wasn’t just the eldest son of the Guju Myeong Family. But he had lived with the mindset that he represented the Myeong Family wherever he went. Yet, he was being talked down to like this by a kid who was at least seven or eight years younger than him.

Suddenly, a memory he wanted to forget came to mind.

The young man who was looking down at him with a blood-stained wooden sword. The face of that young man, who looked so much like him, was filled with deep mockery and contempt.

“You, you little brat…!”

That’s when it happened.

“Stop!!”

A majestic internal energy that cut through the sky echoed throughout the banquet hall. The people who had been staring blankly at the two’s confrontation looked towards the source of the sound.

There, Namgoong Hyeon and the warriors of the Namgoong Family were lined up.

“What in the world is this! To exchange such intense martial arts at a gathering of the Seven Great Families? Are you out of your minds?!”

It was a strong tone.

Myeong Ho-Rim flinched involuntarily. He had instinctively swung his fist, swept away by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s killing intent. He couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Namgoong Hyeon looked at Myeong Ho-Rim with cold eyes.

“Myeong Brother. You are the most senior person at this gathering, aren’t you?”

“…….”

“Our gathering of the younger generation is a prestigious place of social interaction with a history of several decades. I understand your anger, but you should have shown some restraint.”

It was a clever remark.

It was a remark directed at Myeong Ho-Rim, but at the same time, it was a criticism of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s recklessness.

Namgoong Hyeon looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“And Young Master Yeon.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong wasn’t even looking at him.

Namgoong Hyeon felt a surge of anger.

He was already planning to deal with this guy because of his younger brother’s incident. He also didn’t like the fact that this guy was close to Jeagal Ayeon.

And yet, he was causing such a mess at a gathering hosted by the Namgoong Family?

His anger naturally flared up.

“Are you out of your mind? To pick a fight with a member of another family, what kind of reckless behavior is this! There has never been anyone like you in the history of the younger generation’s gathering!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong still didn’t look at Namgoong Hyeon.

That appearance kept provoking Namgoong Hyeon. He saw that the other party had no real interest in his words and actions.

“Is the Namgoong Family that laughable!”

At that moment, Jeagal Ayeon stepped forward.

“Young Master Namgoong, you shouldn’t speak like that.”

Namgoong Hyeon’s eyes trembled.

“Ayeon-ah?”

“The banquet has been suspended. This is not a private matter. Young Master Namgoong, please be mindful of your honorifics.”

“……!”

“Let’s continue. There’s a contradiction in Young Master Namgoong’s words. I understand that you’re angry as the host family, but how can you take one side and make unfair remarks?”

“Unfair remarks? What are you…!”

Jeagal Ayeon said coldly.

“The person who ruined this gathering is not Young Master Yeon, but Young Master Dang.”

“……!”

“Young Master Yeon was just trying to stop him.”

“Ayeon, no, Miss Jeagal. You saw it yourself, didn’t you? He wasn’t trying to stop Young Master Dang, but…”

“Didn’t Young Master Yeon say it himself? That it was a mistake.”

“……?!”

“Young Master Myeong also admitted it was a mistake. As far as I know, the Byeoksan Yeon Family doesn’t have any hidden weapon techniques. He was just trying to stop Young Master Dang by throwing the glass, but it went astray.”

Jeagal Ayeon asked Myeong Ho-Rim.

“Am I right?”

Myeong Ho-Rim, who had been staring at Jeagal Ayeon, sighed.

“That’s right.”

It was a single word that buried the incident. Namgoong Hyeon’s face twisted.

Jeagal Ayeon looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Young Master Yeon. I think Young Master Yeon clearly made a mistake. But I think you should tell us why I stepped in like this, even if it’s just to settle the matter.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been glaring at Myeong Ho-Rim, looked at Jeagal Ayeon.

Jeagal Ayeon’s expression was firm. But Yeon Ho-Jeong read a sincere earnestness in her eyes.

Suddenly, he felt someone grab his sleeve.

“Brother.”

He turned around and saw Yeon Ji-Pyeong standing there.

Surprisingly, there was no caution or urgency on Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face. He was looking at him with clear eyes, and his firm expression stood out.

Not only that. Everyone’s gaze was focused on Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed inwardly.

‘Well, there’s plenty of time.’

In his past life, he hadn’t even seen the hem of the fiend’s clothes, but now he felt like he had at least found his shadow. That’s why he couldn’t control his surging killing intent.

When Dang Yang-Seon caused the accident, he even thought it was a good thing. If the situation was already chaotic, it wouldn’t be strange for anything to happen.

But in this situation, it would be better to restrain himself for now.

Because he was not the Black Emperor Lord, but the eldest young master of the Byeoksan Yeon Family.

He cast his gaze at Myeong Ho-Rim again.

Myeong Ho-Rim flinched.

“The Myeong Family’s martial arts are indeed worthy of their reputation.”

“…….”

“The energy that shook the surroundings was impressive. It’s my fault for not being able to control my burning competitive spirit.”

Myeong Ho-Rim smiled. It was a bit forced, though.

“I understand.”

“I don’t recall giving you permission to use that tone.”

“……!”

“Have we ever been acquainted?”

Myeong Ho-Rim’s face naturally hardened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. His smile wasn’t as awkward as Myeong Ho-Rim’s.

“I apologize. If there’s a chance later, may I ask for your guidance again?”

“……Let’s do that.”

“Thank you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed respectfully in front of everyone.

“I’m sorry for ruining the gathering because of my shortcomings. As you can see, I’m a guy who lacks a lot of discipline. My father even makes me do horse stance because he says I lack patience.”

It was a sudden self-deprecation. It was so unexpected from someone who seemed like he would never do that, that it actually softened the atmosphere. Some people even started to chuckle.

Yeon Ho-Jeong immediately noticed the changed atmosphere.

Although he couldn’t control his killing intent, he was a self-made man who had built the Black Emperor Fortress with his bare hands. He also knew how to show the necessary sociability when needed.

“At tomorrow’s gathering, I will pour a drink for each and every one of you as an apology. I ask that you forgive this unworthy one’s rudeness.”

At that moment, Peng Dae-Ho shouted.

“That’s ridiculous!”

The gazes of the people in the hall, which had been directed at Yeon Ho-Jeong, shifted to Peng Dae-Ho.

Peng Dae-Ho shouted with a seemingly angry face.

“One drink? Look at my body! Are you saying I should forgive you with just one drink?”

“Then what should I do?”

“Let’s drink until our noses are crooked! If you can stay sober until we’re all drunk, then I’ll forgive you!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I’ll have to prepare myself for tomorrow.”

At those words, Peng Dae-Ho couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! You’re so straightforward, I like you! Good! A man’s word is as heavy as a mountain, so keep that promise.”

“I’ll definitely knock you down, if no one else.”

“Hahahaha!”

Thanks to Peng Dae-Ho’s sudden intervention, the atmosphere came alive, and thanks to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s skillful response, the ominous air completely disappeared.

Jeagal Ayeon let out a sigh of relief. Yeon Ji-Pyeong also smiled with a relaxed expression. Namgoong Hyeon’s face was completely stiff, and Myeong Ho-Rim couldn’t hide his displeased expression.

And so, the incident was settled.

The biggest victim of that day was ultimately the Dang Family. It was their own fault, though.