Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 132

“What?”

“Hoo.”

“So, you’re saying you asked to be made the head of the Independent Vanguard if you were going to do it?”

“That’s correct.”

Yeon-wi was momentarily speechless.

Yeon Ho-Jeong kept blowing on his tea. The tea was particularly hot.

Watching his son, Yeon-wi felt a sense of disbelief.

‘Does he think it’s nothing? Does he not realize how significant what he’s done is?’

With just a few words, his son had turned one of the Martial Alliance’s combat units into his direct subordinates, under his control.

And the other party was the Moyong Clan Head. Moyong Gun, a giant considered one of the greatest clan heads in the history of the Moyong Clan.

“I’ll ask again. Did the Moyong Clan Head agree to that?”

“Yes, he did. He said he would plant people, but they wouldn’t be his own. I suppose he means he’ll attach people from the Alliance to report on the unit’s every move.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“That much is unavoidable. Even if it’s a free vanguard, it’s still part of the Martial Alliance. I’m satisfied that it’s become a free unit that won’t be sacrificed in the political games of the White Path Martial Alliance.”

“Hoo.”

“The problem is the numbers.”

“Numbers?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having put down his teacup, spoke with a more serious expression.

“What I negotiated with the Moyong Clan Head was the existence of the Independent Vanguard and my position as its head. We didn’t discuss how many members the unit would have.”

“Are you saying?”

“That’s right. If things go wrong, the unit could end up with only ten members. It might even be such a small organization that it wouldn’t be worthy of the name ‘unit.'”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Well, I suppose that wouldn’t be so bad. The more people there are to manage, the more tired the leader gets. But if that really happens, I’ll have taken a hit from the Moyong Clan Head.”

“……”

“Tsk, that would be a bit unpleasant.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“You really are something.”

“Yes?”

“I knew your eyes were set on the world, but I didn’t know you had such a knack for political maneuvering.”

“Ah……”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“I don’t really think it’s that impressive. There are many ways to use actual strategies and tactics where swords clash. But in the battlefield of politics, swords just turn into tongues.”

“……”

“Well… that’s how I see it.”

Yeon-wi, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-Jeong, shook his head.

“Amazing. All I can say is that you’re amazing.”

“You don’t have to say that so much…”

“And I’ll tell you in advance. I will oppose it.”

“Yes?”

“I’m saying I’ll oppose the creation of the Independent Vanguard with you as its head.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong blinked.

“Hinder… me?”

“That’s right.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because it’s not right.”

“No, Father. I used a pretty big stake to get this…”

Yeon-wi was firm.

“Ho-Jeong, your abilities are outstanding. Your martial arts, your strategies. And this time, you’ve proven yourself to be as skilled in political maneuvering as anyone. As your father, I’m certainly pleased with my son’s excellence.”

“……”

“But the existence of the Independent Vanguard carries a high risk of causing chaos within the Martial Alliance’s organization. As the head of one of the Six Great Clans, I cannot approve of the creation of such an organization.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

He was opposing the creation of an organization that could be a source of strength for his son, and by extension, the family.

Yeon Ho-Jeong hadn’t expected this reaction from his father. He was taken aback, but at the same time, he thought it was just like his father.

“Before that, the decisive reason why I oppose the creation of the Independent Vanguard is…”

“The result was not right.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes widened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“As a warrior who has been taught by the Yeon family, I created an unjust result. Isn’t that right, Father?”

Yeon-wi smiled.

“Did you know?”

“I know now.”

“Yes, it was not the right thing to do.”

Although the establishment of the Martial Alliance was almost certain, nothing was actually decided.

In that situation, it was abnormal for Moyong Gun to try to put Yeon Ho-Jeong under his control as the head of a combat unit, and it was also abnormal for Yeon Ho-Jeong to go to Moyong Gun and threaten him to create an Independent Vanguard.

If it was just a simple joke, it could be laughed off, but Moyong Gun, not to mention Yeon Ho-Jeong, was a martial artist with considerable influence.

To plan and create a new organization beforehand was, in itself, an act of looking down on the Martial Alliance.

“Your method was excessively aggressive, but I also know that there are times when such methods are necessary. However, at least this time, it was not.”

“To be precise, the method was unavoidable, but you should have made me give up. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I understand you, Father. But because I am not you, I may often use such methods in the future.”

He said it, bracing himself for a fierce scolding. He said it so that his father wouldn’t be hurt later.

Surprisingly, Yeon-wi’s answer exceeded Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expectations.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“……?”

“I know that you won’t cross the line, at least. So, I won’t interfere.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong blinked.

“No, Father. You said you were going to oppose it?”

“It’s an act that deviates from what I believe is right. Of course, I have no choice but to oppose it.”

“But how can you say you won’t interfere?”

“Because it’s you.”

“Yes?”

As the conversation continued, it was Yeon-wi who became calmer.

Yeon-wi, having moistened his throat with a sip of tea, continued.

“A son cannot be the same as his father.”

“……”

“Unlike me, you are living in a more turbulent world. So, you are using your political maneuvering skills as a means for the world you will be navigating.”

“……”

“In my eyes, it is clearly wrong. But you don’t think it’s wrong. And you must have your own reasons for thinking that way.”

“That’s right.”

“So, I don’t blame you. However, I, as a father, will also live according to my own way.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring blankly at Yeon-wi, ended up laughing as if he couldn’t help it.

“What will you do if I get angry later? I might get frustrated and lose my temper.”

“I’ll scold you for being a rebellious son.”

“Is that all?”

“If you want to be hit with a switch even though you’re all grown up, then try crossing that line.”

“Hahaha.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong burst into laughter without realizing it.

“I shouldn’t make you a father who hits his grown son with a switch.”

“Of course, you shouldn’t.”

“Don’t worry. Even if I’m a bit of a scoundrel, I have a strong survival instinct.”

Yeon-wi clicked his tongue.

“Fix that undignified way of speaking. I’m afraid people will talk behind your back.”

“This is also my personality. Please respect it.”

“I can’t respect that.”

The father and son looked at each other and laughed for a long time.

After a while, Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

“Then I will fight my own way.”

“Do so.”

As if suddenly remembering something, Yeon-wi tilted his head.

“By the way, why did the Moyong Clan Head insist on having the duel in the plaza?”

“It means he was deliberately setting the stage.”

“Deliberately…?”

“I proved my skills to the Moyong Clan Head in front of many experts. This rumor has probably spread beyond the inner city to the outer city by now.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes sparkled.

“Was it part of the behind-the-scenes work to make you the head of the Independent Vanguard?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“It’s also a warning.”

“A warning?”

“We completed the deal in front of everyone. If I don’t deal with Mong-Ui according to the terms of the deal, it means he will cross the line as well.”

Yeon-wi’s expression turned cold.

“How shameless. He’s been picking fights with us several times, and now he’s warning us after being defeated.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

“It’s a fight where the reason doesn’t matter anyway. At least not to the Moyong Clan Head.”

“I see.”

Yeon-wi silently sipped his tea.

He must have felt frustrated. It would be one thing if the Moyong Clan Head was targeting him, but he kept bothering his son.

He wanted to go and swing his sword right away. But he knew that things in the world shouldn’t be handled according to emotions.

That was why he was soothing his aching heart with tea.

“By the way, Father, you must be having a hard time.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said in a cheerful tone.

“The behind-the-scenes work is already done. The Moyong Clan Head will definitely make me the head of the Independent Vanguard.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“I’ll just do my best. If it doesn’t work out, there’s nothing I can do.”

If it were a matter of the family, he would have opposed it without a doubt. Because it was a matter of the Martial Alliance, Yeon-wi was showing some flexibility.

That was the way of the head of the Byeoksan Yeon Clan, the Judge Sword Yeon-wi. He seemed extremely rigid and adhered only to principles, but if necessary, he was a great hero who possessed flexibility as much as anyone else.

“In any case, you should also prepare yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“People will be looking for you.”

“Yes?”

Yeon-wi clicked his tongue.

“When you’re making a move, you show a vision that amazes the world, but you don’t pay any attention to the small things.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Father…”

“Whether it’s the White Path or the Black Path, martial artists are beings who live by their competitive spirit.”

“……?”

“You’re the one who proved your martial arts against the Moyong Clan Head. Do you think your peers won’t be paying attention to you?”

“Huh?!”

“You’ve already made your name known throughout the world by facing the prestigious clans. And now you’ve entered the Martial Alliance.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face twisted like a rotten fruit.

Yeon-wi got up from his seat.

“You sowed the seeds, so you reap them yourself. This father will not interfere at all.”

* * *

Yeon-wi’s words soon became reality.

The next morning, as snow fell heavily,

Yeon Ho-Jeong was honing the forms of the Four Deathly Arts while holding the Mad Dragon Axe, and Muk Bi was repeatedly drawing and releasing the string of the Crimson Lotus Bow.

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong and Muk Bi’s eyes lit up at the same time.

“Did you feel it too?”

“Yes. Of course, Young Master Yeon felt it too, right?”

“I felt it. But you’ve gotten a bit faster?”

“I guess so.”

“Thank your father later.”

“I’ll do it myself.”

“That’s funny. You’ll probably walk over there all timidly and then slam that shiny forehead of yours into the air.”

“Hmph.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked towards the entrance of the Breaking Formation Pavilion.

After a while, a swordsman wearing a pure white robe came to that place.

He was more like a Taoist than a swordsman. His robe was reminiscent of a sea of clouds, and his not-so-long hair was loosely let down.

‘Oh?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

His eyes, filled with emptiness despite not being like a Taoist, were the highlight. He had perfectly suppressed his terrifying aura, but the gloomy atmosphere emanating from his whole body naturally drew attention.

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having planted the Mad Dragon Axe into the ground, asked,

“Who are you?”

“Is this the residence of the Yeon family?”

“So?”

“I’ve come to meet the eldest son of the Yeon family, the Byeoksan Tiger General, Young Master Yeon.”

“So, who are you?”

The Taoist’s dark eyes flashed for a moment.

“I am Okcheong, the sole disciple of the Sword Immortal. I have come to ask the Tiger General of Gangdong for a duel.”

Right from the start, it’s full-on, damn it.