Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 117

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced down at Muk Bi.

“I should offer a good tea to someone who has come from afar, but it seems impossible with my group in this state.”

Moyong Woo turned his gaze to Muk Bi.

Tsutsutsutsu.

A faint gray haze was rising from Muk Bi’s body.

Moyong Woo’s eyes flashed.

‘A strong one!’

He seemed much younger than himself at first glance, but the inner energy he possessed was as immense as that of a leader of a great sect.

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“You are a remarkable person.”

“His potential alone is enough to discuss the world.”

“Even without mentioning potential, isn’t his current skill impressive enough?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“This level is not enough. Age, training period, experience. They are all important, but it’s meaningless if you don’t get stronger.”

“That seems like an extreme statement.”

“Even if it’s more extreme than this, it doesn’t matter as long as I can get stronger.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes deepened.

“To prepare for the future?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“To prepare for the future.”

A moment of silence fell.

It was Yeon Ho-Jeong who broke the silence.

“It’s a bit awkward to stand, why don’t you sit there?”

“I’m fine.”

“Then do as you wish.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong plopped down on the spot.

Moyong Woo saw in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s figure the illusion of a giant bird flying freely in the sky.

Moyong Woo cleared his throat.

“How old are you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Are you starting a background check?”

“I’m actually curious. You seem to be around twenty years old, but your words and actions don’t seem like it at all.”

“I’m as old as I look. I was born ten years later than you.”

“Ten years…”

Moyong Woo sighed softly.

Ten years younger? That meant Yeon Ho-Jeong and Moyong Yeon-Hwa were of similar age.

Though they were of the same age, they were too different. One was making the family sick with his father despite his great talent, and the other was fighting the world with the soul of a grandmaster.

Moyong Woo smiled bitterly.

“I feel somewhat resentful.”

“About what?”

“I don’t know what I was doing at your age.”

“What else? You must have been struggling to endure the ruthless oppression of the family.”

“…You truly leave me speechless.”

Moyong Woo flapped his robe.

“I can’t do this. It’s more comfortable to sit after all.”

“I told you to sit.”

Moyong Woo, who had taken a seat, stared intently at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled as if amused.

“Do I have something on my face?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Speak.”

“I think we will meet often in the future. For good or bad.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

He had felt it when he came to find him, but now he could be sure.

‘He has made a decision.’

That’s right. Moyong Woo had finally made up his mind.

The lightness and strong tension in his voice proved that he was certain. Yet, there was an unknown composure, so he thought he had indeed chosen the right person.

“And?”

“I said I would make a deal with you. Do you remember?”

“I remember.”

“Yes, a deal. But as you might have guessed, I still can’t fully trust you.”

“That’s only natural.”

“However, this help has allowed me to realize many things.”

He was an interesting man.

He said he had realized, not gained. It was a statement worthy of Moyong Woo.

“You took control of the trade union’s affairs in one go. But I’m not grateful for that.”

“……”

“What I am grateful to you for is that this incident made me despise my indecisive past self.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“There’s no need to think that way. Everyone is in a different situation. You fought a difficult battle in your situation. No one would evaluate that as indecisive.”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“I am grateful that you say so, but I shouldn’t have been like that. I should have opened my eyes sooner, even if it wasn’t you.”

“The important thing is the present. Instead of regretting, it’s better to focus on the present and do your best to seize the future.”

“That’s right. But the reason I’m saying this is to express my gratitude to you.”

Moyong Woo bowed his head while sitting.

“Thank you. Sincerely.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching Moyong Woo, nodded.

“I’ll gladly accept that sincerity.”

Moyong Woo smiled.

“It’s amazing.”

“What is?”

“It’s amazing how I’ve not only joined hands with someone I’ve never met before after a few conversations, but also how I’m grateful to the person who approached me first.”

“There are many strange things.”

“So, let me ask you one favor.”

“Shouldn’t you say, ‘Even so’?”

“I want to get along with you more comfortably.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“What does that mean? Be direct.”

Moyong Woo cleared his throat.

“That is…”

“Huh?”

“…It’s just that, even if we don’t become sworn brothers after just meeting, I’d like to be closer. I’d like to settle how we address each other.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“Is that so important?”

“It is important.”

“Geez.”

“Although I’ve only just met you, I’m certain that you haven’t deceived me.”

“You’ve seen well.”

“And one more thing.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes gleamed.

“You would never betray your own people. Rather, if your people are hurt, you would be in pain as if you were hurt yourself.”

“Ah, you’re really making me cringe.”

“I’m just saying what my gut tells me.”

“That’s a very cheesy gut feeling.”

“Anyway.”

Moyong Woo kept clearing his throat. He seemed a bit embarrassed even by his own thoughts.

“Can I just call you ‘Younger Brother Yeon’ comfortably?”

“Is that what you wanted to say after dragging it out like that? I told you to call me whatever you want.”

“……”

“It doesn’t matter what you call me. As you said, we made a deal. I’ll help you, and you help me in your own way. That’s all.”

It was a rather cold statement. It was also a remark that could hurt some people.

But it didn’t seem to hurt Moyong Woo at all.

Rather, he smiled with delight.

“I look forward to working with you, Younger Brother.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly, then suddenly realized he had clenched his fist.

…Did I almost punch him without realizing it?

Yeon Ho-Jeong gently loosened his fist, which felt like it was cramping, and said,

“Let’s get into some constructive talk now.”

“Very well.”

“……”

“Why are you doing that?”

“It’s nothing. I feel like I understand that girl’s feelings.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing, just a quick-witted kid. She said my way of speaking makes me sound like an old man.”

“She’s an interesting friend.”

Well? I don’t know why that’s interesting?

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression became serious.

“So, what happened? Explain how you dealt with it.”

Moyong Woo’s face also naturally became serious.

“That is…”

Moyong Woo explained in detail what had happened with Moyong Yeon-Hwa.

“That’s how it went.”

“……”

“Why are you doing that?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring blankly at Moyong Woo, asked in a hollow voice.

“So, what you’re saying is, you’ve half-destroyed Moyong Yeon-Hwa?”

“Ahem! Younger Brother’s tone seems a bit rough.”

“…You idiot.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong pressed his temples with all his might.

“You could have just said you’d take care of it and show the results, but you made such a dangerous statement?”

Moyong Woo shook his head with a cold face.

“I couldn’t do that.”

“Why couldn’t you!”

“I don’t know what Younger Brother expected of me, but I couldn’t hide my true feelings even in front of Yeon-Hwa.”

“Ha!”

“Gathering strength secretly without the family knowing? Yes, that’s possible. But at best, it’s just a precarious tightrope walk. At that rate, I don’t know when we can return the main family to normal.”

“……”

“I’m sorry to Younger Brother. Perhaps doing as Younger Brother said would be a safer and faster path.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes gleamed.

“But since I’ve made up my mind, I don’t want to move half-heartedly. I have no intention of becoming a puppet that only moves according to Younger Brother’s words.”

“…Is that so?”

“I think it might seem frustrating. But isn’t this something that Younger Brother and I both need to work on?”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s think together and decide together. I believe that if we blindly follow only one side’s opinion, there will surely be problems in the future.”

Moyong Woo sighed.

“Anyway… I’m ashamed of this incident.”

“No, it’s not.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

That sincere smile seemed to have a pleasant freshness.

‘I don’t want to live as a puppet…’

At first, it was absurd, but the more he listened to Moyong Woo, the better he felt.

‘That’s how it should be.’

He had to be this way. He had to show this much conviction and courage to make working together worthwhile.

A person who is passively dragged along can only do what they are told. But a person who works with conviction like Moyong Woo will find work even without being told.

The difference is much greater than one might think.

“I thought you were just naive, but that’s not the case. Yes, you have to be like that. You’re going to be the next leader of the Martial Alliance.”

Moyong Woo’s face hardened.

“Let’s stop talking about that.”

“I’ll keep talking, so if you don’t want to hear it, cover your ears.”

It was a way of speaking that left him speechless. Moyong Woo closed his mouth instead of covering his ears.

Yeon Ho-Jeong crossed his arms.

“Anyway, things have gotten a bit busy. If you’ve come out like that, Moyong Gun won’t stay still.”

“Hmm?”

“Moyong Yeon-Hwa will tell him everything you talked about. Moyong Gun will never leave you alone. At the latest, within two months, the Moyong family’s forces will enter Jeolgang.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“Why? Given Moyong Gun’s personality, he won’t stand for it?”

“The family head is not currently at the main family.”

“What?”

“The temporary Martial Alliance.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

Moyong Gun continued.

“He is very busy with the establishment of the Martial Alliance. There is more time.”

“I see. But the result won’t change.”

“That’s right. So, I say.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong could not forget this moment.

Moyong Woo’s eyes were shining more brilliantly than ever before.

Even Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was called the King of the Dark and had swept through the dark martial world, flinched for a moment. His shining eyes were like the writhing of a hidden dragon waiting for its time to soar.

“Before leaving for this place, I sent a letter to my brother.”

“A letter?”

“Yes.”

“What kind?”

“That I would properly develop Jeolgang. That I would double the trade business by next year.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

“Double…?”

“Yes.”

“Are you actually planning to do that?”

“I wouldn’t have written it in the letter if I couldn’t.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face became serious.

‘He said he would double the business?’

It was a very bold letter, but the problem was that he didn’t know how Moyong Gun would react.

Whatever the reason, Moyong Yeon-Hwa would tell him everything they had talked about.

Moyong Woo continued.

“My brother is knowledgeable in profit. If I send him a business plan, he will have enough time…”

“No, a soft strategy like that won’t work.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Moyong Woo.

Moyong Woo flinched without realizing it.

“You.”

“Speak.”

“When you decided to make a deal with me, you might as well have thought you were risking your life, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then, shall we take a proper risk this time?”

“Do you have a special plan?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

Moyong Woo was startled by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words that followed.

“If you’ve been going astray for more than ten years, shouldn’t you stop going against the grain now?”

“…?”

“Go under Moyong Gun.”

“…!!”