Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 41

Yeon-wi, having entered the family head’s residence, immediately began his work.

However, the documents did not capture his attention. The words his son had spoken earlier kept replaying in his mind.

‘Even if our paths are different, my heart is always here.’

Yeon-wi’s eyes deepened.

To say their paths were different meant that his son’s gaze was truly set on the world.

‘This is truly difficult, my wife.’

His wife, who had died shortly after giving birth to Ji-Pyeong, came to mind.

‘I wanted to raise our two sons wonderfully, so that I wouldn’t be ashamed in front of you who left first. But, under the guise of being the head of a family, I was only strict with my children.’

Yeon-wi vividly remembered his younger self, harshly scolding Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Looking back, Yeon Ho-Jeong was only six years old at the time. At an age when he should have been laughing at butterflies in the spring, he spent his days under his father’s scolding and training.

At that time, Yeon-wi realized, seeing his eldest son growing thinner day by day, that there was a problem with his methods.

So, when teaching his second son, he never pushed him. Although he was afraid of his taciturn father, Yeon Ji-Pyeong still grew up well and kind.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong was different.

Jealous of his younger brother’s talent, Yeon Ho-Jeong had gone astray. He abandoned his martial arts training and began frequenting taverns.

Yeon-wi couldn’t bring himself to scold his son. It was his fault that his son had turned out that way. He should have taught his son that martial arts weren’t everything, but instead, he had narrowed his son’s perspective.

As time passed, Yeon-wi realized another thing.

He should have grabbed him when he first started going astray. In other words, he had scolded when he should have comforted, and he had been indifferent when he should have intervened.

‘I am a failure.’

Yeon-wi truly thought so. That’s why he always felt ashamed to face his eldest son.

‘But my wife, that Ho-Jeong is now growing up like a man. He has grown this far on his own, without anyone’s help.’

When his son changed, Yeon-wi couldn’t hide his inner joy. Even though he hadn’t done anything for him, his son seemed to have suddenly realized something.

Although it was somewhat extreme, he lived each day with a pounding heart, watching his son’s remarkable growth.

However, that remarkably grown son had no intention of becoming the head of the Yeon family.

‘Thinking about it, I suppose it’s understandable.’

Yeon-wi felt bitter.

‘Who can I blame? It’s all my fault. If I had shown Ho-Jeong a responsible side, he wouldn’t have turned away from the family.’

It was already in the past. Yeon-wi knew he couldn’t change his son’s mind.

Yeon-wi looked out the window.

He could see his son’s back as he headed to his residence. He looked truly dignified.

“…Well, it’s a relief that his heart is still here.”

That was enough. Even though he had grown up under a flawed father, the fact that his heart was still with the family was something Yeon-wi felt he should be grateful for.

He had been gazing out the window for some time when.

“Family Head, it’s the Chief Manager.”

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Tae-Kyung entered.

“Oh my, it’s still quite cold.”

“Indeed.”

“How did it go with the sparring with the Young Master?”

Yeon-wi didn’t say anything.

Tae-Kyung, feeling awkward, took out a letter from his chest.

“Here, I brought what you asked for earlier.”

“Give it to me.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes deepened as he unfolded the letter.

“They are truly persistent.”

“Has the Moyong family not given up yet?”

Yeon-wi looked at Tae-Kyung.

Indeed, Tae-Kyung was quick-witted. Although he was somewhat frivolous, the wisdom and quick handling of matters he occasionally showed were more than enough for the Chief Manager of the Yeon family.

A thought suddenly occurred to Yeon-wi, and he asked.

“What do you think?”

“Are you talking about the Moyong family?”

“Yes.”

It was rare for the family head to ask for opinions on such important matters.

Tae-Kyung immediately answered.

“I think it would be good to join hands with them.”

“Why?”

“The Moyong family is one of the Seven Great Families, along with our main family. If we join hands with such a family and expand our business, we could accumulate more wealth.”

“……”

“Ah, of course, I know that you are not very interested in wealth, Family Head. But you do spend a thousand gold each year for those who suffer from floods, don’t you?”

“If we accumulate more wealth, we can save more lives?”

“That’s right. Money is indispensable in this world.”

There was some truth in Tae-Kyung’s words.

Yeon-wi pondered. His son’s matter was his son’s matter, and business was business. If he could contribute more to the safety of the people, joining hands with the Moyong family wouldn’t be bad.

However.

“Are you perhaps worried about the possibility of the Moyong family having other intentions?”

“The Seven Great Families are different from the Nine Sects. They walk the righteous path, but they also try to solidify their position as powerful families. Most of them are obsessed with increasing their power.”

“Hmm.”

Tae-Kyung, after a moment of thought, clapped his hands.

“Ah! Then how about this method?”

“……?”

“Have you heard about the daughter of the current head of the Moyong family? They say she is not only talented in martial arts but also intelligent and has a very kind nature.”

“Moyong Yeon-Hwa, you mean?”

“You knew about her?”

Of course, he knew the names of the children of the Seven Great Families.

“But why her?”

“How about marrying the Moyong family’s daughter to the Young Master?”

Yeon-wi’s eyes flashed.

“Marriage?”

“Yes. In fact, it might seem a bit excessive to push for a marriage just for a business deal, but no one knows the future. If the two families move forward together through this business, wouldn’t it be more helpful to the people in the future?”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“It’s a major life event. I have no intention of arranging a marriage for such a matter.”

It was common to arrange marriages for cooperation between families. However, Yeon-wi had no intention of doing so.

“But Family Head, it could also be a good thing for the Young Master.”

“For Ho-Jeong?”

“Yes. The Young Master has changed a lot recently. But when you pass the family down to the Young Master, wouldn’t he need someone to help him by his side?”

“……”

“If it’s the talented daughter of the Moyong family, she could be of great help.”

Tae-Kyung didn’t know. He didn’t know that Yeon Ho-Jeong had no interest in the position of family head.

Yeon-wi, who was about to shake his head, suddenly thought of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘……His sights are set on the world?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s change was sudden.

Of course, he didn’t think that Yeon Ho-Jeong would go back to his old self. Still, Yeon Ho-Jeong was nineteen years old. It was an age when it was difficult to know about the world.

He didn’t know what his son’s dream was, but it certainly wouldn’t be bad to have someone by his son’s side to provide strong support.

Yeon-wi, who had been deep in thought, nodded.

“Let’s think about it.”

“Speaking of which, the sooner, the better.”

“I know what you mean.”

Tae-Kyung bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. Did I overstep my bounds?”

“It was me who asked. It’s alright.”

“Ah, yes.”

“You may go now.”

“Yes, then.”

Tae-Kyung left, and Yeon-wi fell into contemplation.

“Marriage, huh?”

* * *

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having entered his residence, lay down on his bed.

“Young Master?”

He never thought that his father would consider appointing him as the Young Master.

Yeon Ho-Jeong let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.

‘Things in life are truly unpredictable.’

In fact, he didn’t want to become the Young Master in his previous life either. It was only when he heard that his younger brother would be appointed as the Young Master instead of him that his inferiority complex exploded.

It was different now.

He knew his limits. He could gather and refine a group of rough black-market thugs, but leading a white-path family was beyond him.

He naturally thought that his younger brother would be given the position of Young Master. Especially since his changed appearance was so rough, he thought so even more.

‘I wanted to test your abilities as the family head, but as a father, I am frustrated to know that your heart is not tied to the family.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

‘I’m sorry.’

It seemed that his father thought this way. Although he was extreme, he thought that he would eventually walk the same path as him. That blood was thicker than water.

However, he was wrong.

He was his father’s blood, but he had lived a hellish life that even severed blood ties.

For such a person to become the head of the Yeon family would be a misfortune for everyone.

‘And, I have things I need to do.’

The mastermind who destroyed his family.

The task at hand was too big and overwhelming. Just figuring it out and preparing for it was enough to make his head spin.

Was that all?

‘I also have to stop the movements of the Three Teachings.’

He realized something big while participating in the Later Generation Gathering.

The world was not flowing like the history of the past. The reason was that he was moving differently from the past.

The Three Teachings were the same. They could appear later than scheduled, or they could appear sooner.

No, it was possible that they had already infiltrated the Central Plains.

‘The Three Teachings, especially the Evil Yin Sect, do not compromise. Their blind hatred was almost comparable to faith. To stop such people, both the black and white paths must join forces.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been deep in thought, scratched his head.

Thinking about the future for the first time in a while made his head feel like it was going to explode. Of course, he had made some plans.

‘In fifteen days, when Hu-Gae arrives, that’s when it will start. Until then, let’s focus on myself as much as possible.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

He really needed to rest today.

The next morning.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who came to the training grounds, saw a strange sight.

“Is training a joke to you?”

“No, sir!”

“Then why don’t you listen?”

“I’m sorry!”

“I clearly said that everything, from meals to rest, is all thoroughly calculated.”

“……”

“Are you trying to rebel?”

“No, sir!”

“Then what? Do you not trust me?”

“N-No, sir!”

A man stood with his hands behind his back, with a group of the Flying Eagle Unit lined up in front of him.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

‘The Flying Eagle Unit Leader?’

It was Gang-Yoon, the Flying Eagle Unit Leader, who had secretly entered the investigation hall and confiscated the rice balls from Yeon Ji-Pyeong on the first day he returned to the past.

Gang-Yoon said in a cold voice.

“I am stronger than you. It means that I broke through the realm you are standing on decades ago. I know every single detail of how you should train.”

“……”

“I made this schedule myself, so why aren’t you following it? Do you not want to get stronger?”

“I’m sorry!”

“Or did you want to run away? Or was your sleep time too much? Is your strength overflowing?”

“No, sir!”

He was thoroughly breaking down his subordinates.

Gang-Yoon was, in common terms, berating his subordinates. But it didn’t look good.

“Deviating from the thoroughly calculated schedule. That itself is a serious violation of the rules. Are you all prepared for the consequences?”

“……”

“Why aren’t you answering? Are you deaf?”

“No, sir! I’m sorry!”

Gang-Yoon snorted.

“It’s a collective responsibility. You will train with the Flying Eagle Sword Technique until midnight today. There will be no meals or rest. Since you have the stamina to train without sleep, you can handle this much, right?”

“……”

“Why aren’t you answering? Do you not want to do it?”

“N-No, sir!”

“Start now. Bring the training ironwood swords.”

The faces of the Flying Eagle Unit members turned pale.

The ironwood swords were training swords that weighed over ten pounds. To swing such swords all day without rest?

“What are you doing! Can’t you move right now!”

It was then.

“Stop.”

Gang-Yoon turned around.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was frowning as much as he could.

“This is not even a third-rate thug, what a mess.”