Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 48

The next day.

“Patriarch.”

“Come in.”

Tae-Gyeong entered the patriarch’s room and presented the documents.

“These are the documents I organized last night. I believe this is a suitable budget to set.”

Yeon-wi quickly scanned the documents.

“Hmm, you’ve worked hard.”

“It’s nothing.”

“You may go now.”

Tae-Gyeong hesitated for a moment.

“Um, Patriarch.”

“Is there something you wish to say?”

Yeon-wi’s eyes were as indifferent as usual.

Tae-Gyeong cleared his throat.

“About the business partnership with the Moyong family…”

“I’m still considering that matter.”

“Ah, yes! Of course, you should take your time to consider it carefully.”

Yeon-wi’s eyebrows twitched. He looked as if he was wondering why this guy was being so talkative today.

He was the same as usual. Tae-Gyeong quickly lowered his head.

“It’s not that…”

“Speak.”

Tae-Gyeong carefully continued.

“How about changing the person?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m saying, how about looking for someone other than that lady, Moyong Yeon-hwa?”

Yeon-wi openly frowned.

“Why do you think that?”

“Well, no matter how much I think about it, Moyong Yeon-hwa seems too talented. Ah! Of course, I’m not looking down on the young master, but I’m worried about what might happen if that lady has other intentions.”

“Other intentions?”

“Yes.”

Tae-Gyeong spoke as if he had made up his mind.

“Moyong Yeon-hwa is a talent recognized by the Moyong patriarch. She probably grew up only receiving praise since she was young. We can’t rule out the possibility that she might have an arrogant personality. Considering that she’s involved in the major affairs of the family at her age, how could she not be?”

“Hmm.”

“The young master is also a talent who is not inferior to Moyong Yeon-hwa. However, I think a wife who can make him feel comfortable, rather than a wife with outstanding talent, would be more suitable for the young master.”

Yeon-wi looked at Tae-Gyeong with cold eyes.

“You were the one who mentioned Moyong Yeon-hwa. But why are you changing your words now?”

Tae-Gyeong spoke with an awkward expression.

Yeon-wi’s eyes became a little more fierce at the natural change in his expression.

“I didn’t consider one thing.”

“What is it?”

“It’s unlikely, but what if the Moyong patriarch refuses this marriage?”

“…?”

“Before we lose face, I think the Moyong patriarch wouldn’t feel too good either. Even if it’s a public matter, he might feel unpleasant since it’s like we’re telling him to give up his precious daughter.”

“If the Moyong patriarch is that small-minded, it’s better not to do business with him in the first place.”

“Of course. However, when we’re expanding our power, it’s better to have as little noise as possible, isn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

“It seems like it would be better for the main family and the young master. I apologize for speaking rashly a few days ago without thinking it through enough.”

Tae-Gyeong looked at Yeon-wi with a subtle gaze.

Yeon-wi’s expression was still bleak. But he noticed that Yeon-wi’s eyes had changed slightly.

‘Even if it’s about rules and justice, it’s his own son’s marriage, so it’s hard for him to be completely cold-hearted.’

After contemplating, Yeon-wi opened his mouth.

“Chief Manager Tae.”

“Yes, Patriarch.”

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

Tae-Gyeong was inwardly nervous. He didn’t bother to hide his feelings.

He was that kind of person. He knew when to hide his true feelings and when to reveal them honestly.

“Is it really a good idea to proceed with this business partnership with the Moyong family?”

Tae-Gyeong’s eyes flashed.

He couldn’t interpret Yeon-wi’s expression. Even he, who was second to none in being quick-witted, found it hard to read because he was so indifferent.

This time was different. Yeon-wi was currently troubled.

Tae-Gyeong’s mouth opened on its own.

“As I said before, I am in favor of it. Money is power. Depending on how you wield that power, you can contribute to peace or disturb the public’s mind.”

“…”

“I dare to say this. The patriarch I have served so far is someone who uses power more justly than anyone else. If we use more funds to ensure public safety, other sects will also step forward to help.”

Yeon-wi sighed softly.

Tae-Gyeong’s eyes sparkled.

‘Was it such a big concern?’

He had seen Yeon-wi sigh for the second time. The first time was five years ago when the Yeon brothers had a major falling out.

‘It’s the biggest event in his generation, so it’s natural, I guess.’

Suddenly, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face flashed over Yeon-wi’s face.

‘Come to think of it, it’s strange.’

Tae-Gyeong couldn’t forget Yeon Ho-Jeong’s appearance when he visited him last night.

His arrogant posture. The ambition that he couldn’t hide in his eyes, even while smiling.

‘Yeon Ho-Jeong hated Yeon Ji-Pyeong terribly. But recently, he’s changed. Could it be that it was a move for the future?’

Seeing his appearance yesterday, he thought it was possible.

It’s not easy to think like that at a young age? Absolutely not.

The Moyong family starts a fierce power struggle from the moment they are born. It wasn’t because someone instigated them, but it was their nature that proved they were of the Moyong bloodline.

There was one person who was an exception to that nature.

‘Moyong Woo.’

He was a kind-hearted person. He was more suited to the Yeon family than the Moyong family. Especially, he resembled Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

‘It’s an interesting coincidence.’

The eldest son is gradually changing to be like the Moyong family, and the person who is treated like a weirdo in the Moyong family is acting like someone who received the Yeon surname.

“So that’s what you think.”

“That’s what I think.”

Yeon-wi, who had leaned back in his chair, nodded.

“Okay, let’s do that.”

Tae-Gyeong’s eyes changed.

“Are you going to join hands with the Moyong family?”

“In fact, there’s no harm in joining hands. If we can complement each other’s shortcomings well.”

“That’s right. They are a powerful family in the Jianghu [a martial arts world], but they are also part of the White Path [a righteous faction]. They will at least keep the minimum line.”

“I don’t trust the Moyong family. I only trust myself.”

“Even if the Moyong family tries to play tricks, they won’t be able to escape the patriarch’s insight.”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“Send a letter to the Moyong family. Let’s set a date soon.”

Tae-Gyeong’s eyes widened.

“Am I sending it directly?”

“This time, I took a long time to consider it. I was being cautious, but they might not see it that way.”

“Ah, yes.”

Yeon-wi looked at Tae-Gyeong.

“There’s some truth in what you said. There’s no need to cause unnecessary noise. However, I don’t want to say things I don’t mean, so you should write it well so that it benefits both families’ partnership.”

Tae-Gyeong smiled.

“I understand. I’ll come to get it reviewed after I write the letter.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Yeon-wi turned his head.

It was as if he didn’t want to see such a cheesy letter. Tae-Gyeong’s eyes shone brightly.

“I understand. I’ll write it as gently as possible. Ah! What about the young master’s marriage partner…?”

“It doesn’t have to be Moyong Yeon-hwa.”

“I understand.”

Tae-Gyeong bowed his head and headed for the door.

At that moment, Yeon-wi opened his mouth.

“Chief Manager Tae.”

Tae-Gyeong turned around.

He could see Yeon-wi’s back. His posture towards the window showed a strange unease.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Haha! It’s nothing.”

“No, this time, it was thanks to you. If you have any opinions in the future, don’t hesitate to speak up.”

“Of course.”

“You may go now.”

“Then, I’ll be going.”

Tae-Gyeong left the patriarch’s room.

He couldn’t see it. The blizzard raging in Yeon-wi’s eyes.

“Send this to the Tongcheon Group. It’s urgent.”

“Yes!”

The Tongcheon Group was an information organization that had a business relationship with the Yeon family. Since he asked for it to be delivered urgently, it would soon fly to the Moyong family.

Tae-Gyeong, who had delivered the letter to the Tongcheon Group member, stretched greatly.

It was as if the fatigue he had accumulated had disappeared. The day was still cold, but the sky was exceptionally clear today.

Tae-Gyeong’s eyes curved into a circle as he looked up at the sky.

‘It’s finally over.’

The Yeon family is going to fall anyway.

The key was how much it would help ‘this side’. Fortunately, the patriarch had approved the business partnership, so it became easier to take over the Yeon family’s territory.

Tae-Gyeong was once again impressed by Moyong Yeon-hwa.

‘A marriage… If she’s not careful, she could be plagued by rumors, but she pushed it forward? She’s a real woman of valor.’

This marriage proposal was initiated by Moyong Yeon-hwa herself.

Of course, she had no intention of marrying Yeon Ho-Jeong. However, she thought that she had to make such a proposal to shake the Yeon patriarch’s heart.

‘It’s a shame. If she had been born a man, she would have already been appointed as the young patriarch.’

Then again, maybe the patriarch would entrust the family to Moyong Yeon-hwa.

The reason was that the patriarch was looking at a bigger picture. He had no intention of ending his dream within the family.

‘The world! If you’re born a man, you should have that kind of dream.’

And, if he could look at the world next to such a patriarch, there would be nothing more to ask for.

Tae-Gyeong, who was smiling and letting his imagination run wild, suddenly had a thought and called a gatekeeper.

“Where is the young master?”

“He went out with the second young master. They said they were going to have a meal…”

“I see. You may go now.”

“Yes.”

Tae-Gyeong openly frowned.

“He’s got a good appetite. In that aspect, he seems even worse than Miss Yeon-hwa.”

* * *

That night.

Past midnight, Yeon Ho-Jeong visited Tae-Gyeong’s residence.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve sweated a lot.”

“How else can I improve my martial arts? I have to train whenever I have time, don’t I?”

Putting aside everything else, his determination was something to be admired.

Tae-Gyeong had also seen Yeon Ho-Jeong’s training several times. He had never trained in such a way, but even at a glance, he could tell that it was a training that was hard to endure without being ruthless.

He wondered why the person had changed so much, but yesterday, he understood.

‘He’s desperate to become the patriarch. Well, it’s understandable.’

His life had been ruined by his younger brother’s talent, who was rising from below. He didn’t know what kind of opportunity he had obtained, but if he had obtained an opportunity, he should bet his life on it.

He was of the bloodline of the Judge’s Sword [a family known for their martial prowess], so it was impossible for him to be completely incompetent.

“This is Longjing tea. It has a good fragrance, doesn’t it?”

“Huh! Longjing tea? Where did you get this precious thing?”

“Haha! I managed to get it with the money I’ve saved up. I was planning to give it to the patriarch.”

He was giving the tea that he was going to give to the patriarch to him.

In other words, it was a sign of trust. Yeon Ho-Jeong wore a triumphant smile.

“I’ve thought from the beginning that you were no ordinary person.”

“Hahaha! That’s an overestimation. I’m just a mere scholar.”

“To call someone who controls a family a mere scholar?”

It was a pointed remark, but Tae-Gyeong didn’t read the underlying meaning in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice.

“That’s not the case now. But in the future, I’m planning to do important things too. By the young master’s side.”

“Have you finally made a decision?”

“Haha! Please take good care of me.”

“I’ll be in your care too.”

Sizzle.

Tae-Gyeong’s eyes changed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was holding the teacup, was pouring the Longjing tea onto the floor.

“My heart is already pounding at the thought of beating down the rabid jackals. I hope you will play a big role.”