Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 126

“My Lord, the White Wind Unit Leader is reporting in.”

“Speak.”

“Currently, the leaders of the Nine Great Sects—Shaolin, Wudang, Mount Hua, Zhongnan, Qingcheng, Emei, and Kongtong—have gathered. Among the Six Great Families, the main family, the Jeagal, and the Peng families are present. The Yeon and Namgoong families are nearby. The Tang family will take some time to arrive.”

“Hmm, I understand.”

“And…”

“I’ll hear the rest of the report in half a day. You’ve done well.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

The White Wind Unit Leader’s presence disappeared from outside the door.

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly observing his counterpart, smiled.

“Do you enjoy alcohol?”

“I have a drink occasionally.”

“Haha, I see. You’ve become quite the man while I wasn’t looking.”

Moyong Gun looked out the window.

“The sun is still high, but it’s been a while since brothers have met. We can’t just drink bland tea. How about a drink?”

“I’d like that.”

“Good.”

Moyong Gun called for a servant to bring alcohol.

The Martial Alliance was enormous. Its scale was so vast that it allowed each of the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Families to take charge of a section of the inner city.

This arrangement both honored them and assigned them security duties. Given the current state and sentiment of the martial world, it was a reasonable deployment.

Perhaps because of this, Moyong Gun’s influence already loomed large over the Greedy Wolf Pavilion, where the Moyong family was stationed.

“Before the alcohol arrives, there’s something I want to discuss.”

“Please, speak.”

“I heard you humiliated Yeon Hwa?”

The person sitting across from Moyong Gun, Moyong Woo, nodded.

“I did.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

She was the head of the family’s daughter and his brother’s daughter. To Moyong Woo, she was his niece.

He shouldn’t be intimidated, but he should be somewhat subdued. Yet, Moyong Woo was very confident.

“Why did you do that? Yeon Hwa is more sensitive than she seems. She seemed quite hurt.”

“If she’s hurt by such harsh words, then Yeon Hwa still has a long way to go.”

‘Look at this guy?’

A strange interest flickered across Moyong Gun’s face.

The Moyong Woo he knew was not like this. A clear and gentle soul, an individual who was not compatible with him. Or so he thought.

But looking at him now, he was completely different from the younger brother he remembered.

“Haha, I’m seeing a new side of you today.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, you’re right. I didn’t raise Yeon Hwa to be that weak. She may be sensitive, but I trained her thoroughly not to show it. However, it seems she’s still lacking, as you said.”

“Yes. Yeon Hwa is lacking. She needs time to regroup and work harder.”

“Hahahaha!”

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

‘Why? He couldn’t help but laugh.’

Zhejiang was a beautiful region. Anyone who grew up in the Central Plains would dream of settling there.

But if the Moyong family was considered the main base, then Moyong Woo had been exiled to the periphery.

And now, this exiled brother was criticizing his daughter for being weak and needing more training.

The fact was strangely amusing.

“This is interesting. Truly interesting. There have been many things happening lately, but I never thought the day would come when I’d have this kind of conversation with you.”

“…”

“When I received the letter saying you would double the business in Zhejiang, I expected a big change in your heart. But seeing you come here like this, it seems you’ve made a big decision that I don’t know about.”

“I’ve made a firm decision. A decision that will never waver.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

Just then, a servant brought in the alcohol.

“This is Dukang wine. Have you ever tried it?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“It suits my taste. It has a decent flavor despite the short fermentation period. I don’t know how it will be for you.”

Moyong Gun picked up the bottle, and Moyong Woo politely held out his cup.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’m pouring you a drink.”

Pou, pour.

The sharp scent of alcohol quickly filled the room.

“Now, let’s have a drink from our youngest brother.”

Moyong Woo filled Moyong Gun’s cup.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“Before that, I have something to say.”

“Hmm?”

Moyong Gun put down his cup.

“I was going to start after a drink.”

“We are brothers, but in some ways, we were worse than strangers. And I don’t casually share drinks with those I don’t have a bond with.”

“…Haha.”

“I came to change that relationship. This cup, I will empty it after I’ve finished speaking.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Alright. Speak.”

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes flashed.

His eyes, shining with intense determination, made Moyong Gun’s heart pound.

“I want to see if the path you’re walking is right.”

“Hmm?”

“You became the head of the main family by defeating our older brother. Two of our brothers died, and everyone else except me sided with you.”

“That’s right.”

“I’ll say it clearly. I think your path is wrong.”

“I know.”

“Your methods are too dangerous. Furthermore, it is not the righteous path. That’s why I think your path is wrong. Many innocent people have died because of it.”

Moyong Gun just smiled.

Moyong Woo continued.

“But you didn’t kill me.”

“Because you didn’t challenge me.”

“And also because I was useful.”

“Haha, you see well.”

“While managing the Zhejiang business, I thought about it. Why are you walking such a tyrannical path? Why are you walking such a dangerous path while wearing the mask of righteousness?”

“…”

“Looking at the past and present of the main family, I finally became certain of what you want.”

“What do you think I want?”

“To become the leader of the Martial Alliance and make the Moyong family the greatest in the world.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

Moyong Woo continued in a calm voice.

“I know you’re someone who would do anything to reach the top. No, that’s all I’ve ever thought. However, I never thought you had a specific goal.”

“Hoo.”

“But now I understand. You want to become the leader of the Martial Alliance, rule over the White Path martial world [a term referring to the orthodox martial arts world], and become the emperor of the Central Plains martial world.”

“…Amazing.”

Moyong Gun said, as if genuinely impressed.

“Only one person has ever seen through my dream. Today, there are two.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’ve never told anyone my dream except for Yeon Hwa and a few of my closest confidants.”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“You don’t have to tell me to know.”

“That’s not true. It would be difficult to reach that conclusion without reading my tendencies, the Moyong family’s actions, and the flow of the world.”

Moyong Gun was genuinely impressed.

“I knew you were a rare talent, but I didn’t know you had such outstanding insight. Truly remarkable.”

He had only praised one person to this extent. It showed how surprised Moyong Gun was.

“Alright, you know my goal is to become the leader of the Martial Alliance and make the Moyong family the greatest in the world. So, how has that changed your heart?”

Moyong Woo’s eyes deepened.

“I’m prepared to step into the mud.”

“Hmm?”

“I hate sacrificing the small for the sake of the big. But I can’t stop you. Perhaps, no one can.”

“Hehehe.”

“Then, I have only one choice.”

Tsutsutsutsu.

A terrifying aura emanated from Moyong Woo’s body.

“To help you ascend to the throne as soon as possible.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes widened.

He had expected him to join hands, but he didn’t expect him to say such words.

“You’ll put me on the throne?”

“I will risk my life to help you become the most powerful person in the martial world, to stand at the pinnacle of the martial world.”

“Hehe, hehehehe!”

“If you promise me two things.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of promise?”

Moyong Woo clenched his fist.

“I will believe that your ruthless actions are not only for your own ambition but also for a plan to bring peace to all people in the future.”

“… !”

“When you become the leader of the Martial Alliance, please use your power for the sake of the world.”

Moyong Gun’s mouth slowly opened.

“You’re really trying to surprise me.”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“You must never stray from the path. You must become a ruler full of benevolence and righteousness. If you don’t promise that, I will end my life in the mountains.”

Moyong Gun, who had been looking at his brother with a surprised expression, suddenly asked out of curiosity.

“What is the other promise?”

“Give me the family.”

“What?”

“When you become the leader of the Martial Alliance, give the Moyong family to me. I will lead the Moyong family to live up to its name as the greatest in the world. I will thoroughly refine it and make it a work of art that will be remembered for generations.”

Moyong Woo took a moment to catch his breath.

However, his gaze towards Moyong Gun did not waver in the slightest.

“If you promise those two things, then from today, I will be your man.”

“…”

“No matter how harsh the task, I will follow without complaint. If my heart wavers, I will have to cultivate it so that it doesn’t. I will consider that a growing pain.”

“…Why?”

Moyong Gun asked seriously.

“Why did you come to have such a heart? Is it because you know my dream?”

“That’s one of the reasons.”

“What is the decisive reason?”

“Because I am different from you.”

“What?”

“Unlike you, I cannot sever my family ties until the moment I die. If that’s the case, then I have no choice but to help my family’s dream and then go my own way.”

Moyong Woo lowered his head.

“I’ve endured for over ten years, but I couldn’t see victory.”

“…”

“I have lost.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes widened.

“Woo-ya.”

He grabbed Moyong Woo’s hands.

Moyong Woo felt a surge of emotion. The hands of his brother, which he hadn’t held in over twenty years, had become much rougher in the meantime.

Moyong Gun said with a moved expression.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“…Don’t say that. I am a man who hates you.”

“You rascal, you rascal.”

Moyong Gun patted Moyong Woo’s shoulder.

It was a fist that didn’t feel like it had any strength. His heart was full of emotion.

“Thank you so much. Thank you so much.”

“Will you promise?”

“I promise. I will definitely do so. It’s a promise with you, how could I not keep it?”

Moyong Woo raised his cup.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“Yes, let’s have a drink. No, let’s get drunk today. Hey! Bring the whole jar of alcohol!”

The brothers emptied their cups.

Their eyes were filled with indescribable emotions. At least in this moment, the emotions they showed each other were genuine.

‘Brother.’

Moyong Woo closed his eyes.

‘I’m sorry, but I haven’t lost yet.’