Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 501

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s first greeting was quite impressive.

“I greet the Clan Lord. I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the head of the Medical Corps.”

He didn’t refer to his counterpart as the Namgoong Clan Lord, nor did he call himself the eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon family.

It was a clear indication that he was there on official business. At least, that was the apparent reason for his visit.

Namgoong In smiled and gestured to the seat opposite him.

“Have a seat.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down across from Namgoong In.

‘Huh.’

They had met a few times in passing, but this was the first time they were having a one-on-one meeting like this.

Perhaps that was why? For some reason, the other man seemed new to him.

‘He’s really not an ordinary guy.’

Looking at his straight back, his upright chest, and his clear, deep eyes, it was hard to believe he was a young man of his age.

Regardless of his martial prowess, the man himself seemed exceptional. The aura that naturally emanated from him, without him being conscious of it, was already that of a master.

Namgoong In clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘Did I really try to challenge such a genius, without even properly recognizing him?’

His second son, Namgoong Hyeon, and his third son, Namgoong Sang-Hwa.

The beginning of their ill-fated relationship was with Namgoong Sang-Hwa. Now, the past grudges had been somehow smoothed over, but the fault had initially been with Namgoong Sang-Hwa.

Moreover, Namgoong Hyeon, who had approached with confidence to resolve it, but had been blinded by petty desires and defeated without even putting up a fight, also seemed pathetic.

In the martial world, there is no skill more important than recognizing the capabilities of one’s opponent. In that regard, Namgoong Hyeon and Namgoong Sang-Hwa had issues.

As his sons, wasn’t it frustrating?

“Are you good at drinking?”

At Namgoong In’s question, Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I drink occasionally.”

“How about it? I was feeling a bit lonely and having a drink by myself. Would you like to join me?”

“If you offer, I would be grateful.”

Namgoong In smiled and filled Yeon Ho-Jeong’s glass.

“Well then, let’s have a drink.”

The two emptied their glasses after clinking them together.

“I believe this is the first time we’ve met alone like this.”

“Yes, it is.”

“A private meeting with the greatest prodigy of the younger generation. Although I am the head of the Namgoong family, I am truly honored at this moment. You are the peerless monster who completely erased the existence of the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes, who were once called the pillars of the next generation of the martial world with their lofty reputations.”

At one time, the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes were a symbol of the young prodigies.

The talents of the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes were evaluated to be on par with or even greater than the Thirteen Seats of Seongcheon [a group of highly skilled martial artists]. Whether that was actually the case or not, the Twin Dragons and Three Phoenixes were geniuses who had people in awe.

However, the names of those five geniuses were completely buried. It was all because of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s existence.

A young master who suddenly appeared in the world and took the lead in crushing the Nine Great Families. His unconventional appearance, his terrifying skills, and his monstrous talent that allowed him to reach the level of a sect leader in his early twenties, made Yeon Ho-Jeong rise to the top as a true prodigy of the younger generation.

Moreover, the timing of Moyong Woo’s appearance was also remarkable. When he transcended the wall of martial arts after repeated training in the Martial Alliance, people marveled at the fact that the two were the invincible talents that no other prodigy in the world could dare to surpass.

The Tiger God Duo, or the Tiger Sword Duo.

That was what they called Yeon Ho-Jeong, the strongest warrior of the younger generation, the Byeoksan Tiger General, and Moyong Woo, the strongest swordsman of the younger generation, the Geon-Gon Tiger General.

However, generally, when people said Tiger General, they meant Yeon Ho-Jeong, and Moyong Woo was distinguished by being called the Geon-Gon Divine Sword or the Geon-Gon Sword Hero.

Naturally, people rated Yeon Ho-Jeong higher than Moyong Woo.

It was not only because of his position and achievements, but also because he had broken through the wall of martial arts earlier than Moyong Woo, despite being younger.

“Do you remember my eldest son?”

He was referring to Namgoong Pyo, the young master of the Namgoong family.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I remember him.”

When everyone gathered at the Martial Alliance for the establishment, the Yeon family and the Namgoong family had met in the middle.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had seen Namgoong Pyo at that time. He was about the same age as Moyong Woo, and he was a swordsman with confident eyes, a hint of arrogance, and considerable sword energy.

Namgoong In smiled and said.

“You’ve been busy, so you might not know, but Pyo was very shocked when he saw you. At that time, your martial arts were similar to Pyo’s. That alone must have been a big shock.”

“I understand.”

“But after that, when you became the leader of the Myeolsa Army [a special military unit], chastised the world, and even broke through the wall of martial arts, he seemed completely out of it.”

“Is that so?”

“So, before you went on your mission to Gwangdong, I sent him back to the main family with Hyeon. A warrior grows stronger by grappling with the world. After realizing that there are many geniuses beyond him, his attitude has changed a lot.”

In that regard, he was sincerely grateful to Yeon Ho-Jeong. He thought his son’s arrogance was justified confidence, but if he wasn’t stimulated even after such a monster appeared in the world, he was just a fool.

In that sense, he couldn’t help but be grateful to the person who had stimulated his son’s competitive spirit and jealousy.

Of course, the most beautiful ending would be for his grown son to easily crush that greatest prodigy of the younger generation.

“It’s all thanks to you. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Namgoong In smiled.

He rarely revealed his true feelings in front of others. He always tried to smile, and now it had become a habit.

So his smile looked very natural, unlike his true feelings.

“I’ve been talking too much. Well, let’s put this aside for now. You said you came to see me on official business?”

“That’s right.”

Namgoong In stroked his beard.

“I didn’t expect the head of the Medical Corps to come to me on official business at this hour. If there’s something to do, you could have followed the formal procedures or brought it up as an agenda through the military during the meeting.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“It’s official business, but in another way, it’s not.”

“Intriguing. Let’s hear it.”

“It’s late at night, so I won’t beat around the bush. I’ll be frank, and if you respect me, I hope you’ll answer honestly.”

“Hahaha, why are you being so serious? I understand. I’ll do that, so let’s hear what you have to say.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke directly.

“Please help me.”

“Hmm? Haha, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I’m asking you to join forces with the other Clan Lords, led by the Military Advisor, so that the Martial Alliance can be run like a Martial Alliance should be.”

Namgoong In’s eyes sparkled.

It was a light remark, but it was a difficult statement to accept. The weight of the content was considerable.

“Haha, what do you mean? Our Clan Lords are all working hard for the justice of the martial world. Our intentions are not different.”

“I wanted an honest conversation, and you agreed.”

“Are you saying that I’m lying?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“We are in a situation where an unprecedented enemy is targeting the entire continent. In other words, the entire Central Plains martial world should be rushing towards a common enemy. You can’t possibly be unaware of that fact.”

“I know it well enough. That’s why we need to unite even more, and even if that’s not the case, we should do so if we care about the world.”

“I know that what you’re saying is sincere.”

“Haha, I’m glad you understand.”

“But even if everyone unites for the sake of the world, there is always someone who leads the way.”

“……?!”

“That’s what I’m talking about. It would be great if someone with good abilities, excellent character, and overflowing confidence led the Martial Alliance. But if the desire for power takes precedence over all of that, I don’t think such a person should lead the Alliance.”

The smile disappeared from Namgoong In’s face.

“There’s a barb in your words. Are you saying that I’m that kind of person?”

“Some of the other Clan Lords, including Clan Lord Moyong, must have had similar thoughts.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

“I don’t know if you truly have such thoughts. However, I know that you are not the type to make the wrong choice because of the rudeness I have shown you today. You are not the type to abandon the greater good because of displeasure.”

He gave both a carrot and a stick.

He couldn’t tell how he was being viewed just by listening to the words.

Of course, Namgoong In knew how Yeon Ho-Jeong saw him. He could tell by looking at his eyes and attitude, excluding his words.

“You seem to see me as a somewhat dangerous person.”

“That’s right.”

It was an honest admission.

Namgoong In asked casually.

“Why do you think so?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“An experienced cook knows where the problem is with a dish just by smelling it.”

“That’s a rather unpleasant analogy.”

“Please think of it as me being the cook, not you being the dish.”

“So, you read traces of such ambition in me?”

“Yes.”

Namgoong In’s lips curled up.

“Isn’t that a purely personal thought, something that cannot be proven, not a judgment?”

“I caught spies with that unprovable sense, and I put a stop to Clan Lord Moyong’s ambition. Now, many people trust my senses.”

Namgoong In’s eyes sharpened.

“Is that a threat?”

“If you have such ambition in your heart, it could be a threat.”

Namgoong In quietly looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t bother to hide his expression or his eyes. He was looking at him with a faint smile, but it was impossible to read his true intentions.

How much time had passed?

“Alright, let’s think about it this way.”

Namgoong In clasped his hands together and leaned forward.

“Let’s say I have such ambition. And because of that ambition, even in a situation where unity is important, I would do dirty deeds for my own benefit.”

“……”

“What does that have to do with you? As long as I don’t harm others.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I agree with the statement that as long as you don’t harm others. The problem is that it does cause harm.”

“What?”

“Now that the unprecedented enemy, the Three Teachings [a mysterious and powerful organization], has appeared, the continent must become one. In a situation where we should trust each other, cherish each other, and even show a spirit of sacrifice, if someone who is a Clan Lord of the Martial Alliance does those ‘dirty deeds’ for personal gain, what would people think if that fact were revealed?”

“……”

“From a strategic point of view, such a person should be excluded. Also, because they are so foolish and ignorant, they should not be at the core of the Alliance.”

“Ignorant?”

“They are ignorant. In a situation where everyone is about to die in an impending war, they mistake it for a chaotic era of warring factions and are only busy filling their own bellies. You can’t call such a stubborn person smart.”

“……!!”

“Even Clan Lord Moyong stopped the factional fighting and joined hands after learning about the existence of the Three Teachings. Even an ambitious person with extreme ambition knows what’s important.”

At that moment, Namgoong In’s eyes flickered slightly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued in a more rigid voice.

“I still don’t know for sure where the line is when it comes to doing things. However, I do know that there is an order to everything. But among the adults who have learned a lot and have a lot of experience, there are some who ignore what even young people like me know, saying it’s okay.”

“……”

“I don’t know if you know, but since I joined the Martial Alliance, I’ve crushed all those people. I didn’t care about their status.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s rigid face relaxed slightly.

“What about you, Clan Lord? As a Clan Lord of the Martial Alliance, are you a chivalrous person who will lend a hand for the sake of the world? Or are you an ambitious person who is so excited that they can’t even see where they’re going and are running around in the fields?”