Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1190

As soon as Tang Gwan returned to the family, he announced the death of the Supreme Family Head, Tang Hyeong.

The Tang family members were in immense shock and grief.

However, their grief was short-lived. Even without Tang Gwan explicitly mentioning the enemy, they all harbored a terrifying rage towards the Blood Demon Cult, who had killed Tang Hyeong.

That was the nature of those with the Tang surname. Even when losing a loved one, they fueled their anger rather than succumbing to sorrow. They were willing to burn their entire lives to avenge those who had killed a member of the Tang family.

Although the family had shifted to a wartime footing, preparing for a defensive battle, they were ready to turn all of Sichuan upside down at a moment’s notice, harboring a quiet murderous intent.

Thus, within the Tang family, the atmosphere was as silent as the night before a storm.

In Tang Hyeong’s residence, Tang Gwan discovered several books.

‘This is it.’

These books were, in essence, a historical correction, pointing out how the achievements of the Tang family members from the collateral lines had been changed to be attributed to the direct line members.

Tang Gwan was aware that Tang Hyeong was doing this. In fact, he was the one who had authorized it, intending to continue his father’s unfinished work after entrusting the family to his successor.

However, seeing his father’s dedication, Tang Gwan realized.

This was not something that could be postponed. To leave a history full of errors just because a war had broken out was no different from leaving a sick parent to go make money.

Even if it was difficult, they had to work through it together. Only when the internal affairs were well-established could external matters be resolved.

Even if the family was annihilated because of this, it would be better than dying with a shameful past.

Tang Gwan immediately summoned the scribes and elders, ordering them to correct the distorted facts.

Some of the elders advised that it was not rational to start such a task during this dangerous time, and that it would not be too late to handle it after the war.

However, Tang Gwan was firm.

Those who refused the orders of the family head, who held absolute power, were usually subjected to extreme punishment. Although he had become more lenient and flexible after reclaiming the family, he had a boldness that was no less than Tang Hyeong’s when he pushed forward.

In the end, the Tang family began to correct their flawed history while preparing for war. This was what Tang Gwan did on the very day he returned to the family.

Tang Gwan did not stop there. Because war could break out at any moment, there was another matter that needed to be dealt with immediately.

That was why he appeared before the Tang family’s outer compound, where numerous family members had gathered.

“…….”

There was a young man kneeling with his head bowed, bound.

He was in a truly miserable state. His body was emaciated, his hair was disheveled, and he was covered in dirt, looking worse than a beggar.

Most of the elders looked somber. Some even turned their heads, unable to bear looking at the young man.

However, the faces of the low-ranking warriors gathered in the outer compound were filled with coldness.

Tang Gwan thought their expressions were natural.

He had heard that the young man had grown up arrogant and had tormented his subordinates quite a bit. Fortunately, he had not touched any of the family’s daughters, but the fact that the family head’s son was a character with a flawed personality must have caused the family members a great deal of suffering.

It would have been better if he had realized it sooner and corrected it.

Tang Gwan, sitting on a chair, spoke calmly.

“Raise your head.”

Twitch.

At the familiar voice, the young man’s head slowly lifted.

The young man’s jaw, revealed through his tangled hair, was as sharp as a knife. His flesh had wasted away due to the shock of being imprisoned and the environment where he could not get proper nutrition.

The young man, Tang Yang-seon, had a light return to his eyes.

“…Father.”

“Shut up.”

Tang Gwan’s voice was as cold as his expression.

“You are a sinner. Do not think of calling me father.”

It was a truly shocking statement. Even the low-ranking warriors who had been looking at Tang Yang-seon with cold eyes were surprised and looked at Tang Gwan.

Tang Gwan maintained a consistently stern attitude.

“Before you are my blood, you are a wicked person who has committed atrocities by treating precious family members like mere expendables with your arrogant nature and endless rudeness.”

“…!!”

“Moreover, you are a great traitor who has learned the martial arts of the Three Teachings [Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, often used in a derogatory way to refer to unorthodox or evil sects], the great enemy of the Central Plains martial world and the family’s enemy, dragging the family’s prestige to the bottom.”

Whoosh!

A terrifying rage surged from Tang Gwan’s body.

The rage soon became a ki wave [internal energy], making everyone present shudder.

“If it were anyone else, they would have been torn to pieces and killed long ago. In fact, my younger brother, Tang Ho, also committed a sin no less than yours, so I killed him with my own hands.”

Tang Yang-seon’s face turned pale.

“Tell me with your own mouth. Do you truly believe that you have not committed a sin worthy of death?”

“…….”

“Speak!!”

Tang Gwan’s voice, echoing loudly, spread beyond the outer compound and into the inner compound.

Tang Yang-seon, who had been looking at Tang Gwan with trembling eyes, soon spoke with a venomous expression.

“I know that the sins I have committed are great, but I don’t think they are worthy of death.”

Some of the elders sighed.

Tang Gwan’s face, which had been full of anger, became transparent and colorless.

“Is that so?”

A voice that was extremely dry. It was a voice that was even more terrifying than when he was angry.

“I just wanted to be the best. The Tang family’s martial arts had limitations with my talent. I just wanted to become stronger!”

“Just because that is your desire, do you think that the sins you have committed can be forgiven?”

“That’s not what I mean!”

“Then?”

“Give me a chance!”

Tang Yang-seon shouted with a voice mixed with resentment.

“I have never lived my life with a sound mind! There is no law that punishes a madman!”

He was saying that he was not a normal person. The elders, as well as the warriors, were dumbfounded.

Tang Gwan nodded.

“Yes. You were definitely not in your right mind. How could you have lived like you did if you had been in your right mind?”

“That’s right! I am…”

“Those of the Three Teachings are not in their right minds either. Regardless of the differences in their values, how can we call those who kill countless innocent people to seize this land sane? They were living well, but they became obsessed with their doctrines and committed such acts, so it can only be explained as madness.”

“…?!”

“Then.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes flashed.

“Since they are mad, should we let them go, telling them to come to their senses?”

It meant that the excuse of being mad could not be a justification. Even if it were true, too many people had suffered because of Tang Yang-seon.

How many taverns had he destroyed with his own hands? How many people had died?

If it had been a mistake, it would not have been like this. Even if it had been an act of chivalry, or a misunderstanding, he would not have been punished so miserably.

Moreover, he had learned the martial arts of the Three Teachings and harbored thoughts that he should not have.

“If you had repented of your sins yourself, if you had asked to be killed, I would have saved you while cursing you a hundred or a thousand times. If you had even a shred of pride as a member of the Tang family, I would not have given up on you as the family head and a parent, even if I had sent you to the lowest ranks.”

“Ah, Father!”

“A guy who inherited the Tang family’s blood is afraid of death and declares himself incompetent?”

Tang Gwan’s face contorted.

“You are the most wicked person in the world!”

It was an outcry that clearly showed the anger, disappointment, pity, and despair hidden within his sternness.

The elders sighed and bowed their heads. They could not bear to look at the family head and Tang Yang-seon.

Pity also arose on the faces of the warriors. However, they were still cold when they looked at Tang Yang-seon.

Their anger was entirely directed at the enemy who had killed the Supreme Family Head. Therefore, they did not show anger even when looking at the young man.

To them, Tang Yang-seon was already a dead man.

Tang Gwan realized that from the faces and eyes of the warriors.

So he thought it was for the best. If Tang Yang-seon had truly shown the spirit of a martial artist, he would have made him live with the warriors, making him go through hellish days. By doing so, he had planned to support him from behind so that he could see reality, repent of his past misdeeds, and become a better person.

But this guy had kicked away the opportunity himself. Tang Gwan could no longer forgive Tang Yang-seon.

“It’s not for the sake of the family. For your corrupted soul, there is only one thing you can do now.”

A throwing knife that Tang Gwan threw fell in front of Tang Yang-seon.

“Take your own life.”

“Father!!”

“Show some pride by ending your own life. And so that you can be clean at least in the end, even though you have lived a life of sin, prepare your own shroud.”

It was an irreversible statement. No matter what he said now, he would not be able to live.

Venom returned to Tang Yang-seon’s face.

“Father, you were just as wicked as I was!”

One of the elders shouted.

“Can’t you shut your mouth! How dare you utter such nonsense!”

“Father did it too! Father also made others shed tears of blood! Why are you only doing this to me! If I have to die, then you should die too!”

Whoosh!

A tremendous ki wave poured out from the elders’ bodies.

Tang Yang-seon’s face turned blue. Even if he had the same internal energy as before, it would have been difficult for him to come to his senses in the face of the elders’ murderous ki wave.

Tang Gwan, who had been looking at Tang Yang-seon with clear eyes, slowly rose from his seat.

“I gave you the chance to end your own life, but if you refuse even that, then the time as father and son is over.”

“…!!”

“As the family head, I will personally execute the wicked person who has harmed the main family.”

“Wait! Father, wait!”

Tang Gwan reached out his hand.

Tiriring!

The chains that had bound Tang Yang-seon were all shattered and flung away.

Crack!

“Kuaaaak!”

Tang Yang-seon, who had floated into the air, writhed madly. It was as if an invisible rope was tightening around his entire body, and marks could be seen on his exposed arms and legs.

Tang Yang-seon groaned.

“S-save me.”

Tang Gwan picked up the throwing knife that was on the floor.

“Don’t worry.”

Thud!

Tang Yang-seon’s body, with the throwing knife embedded in his heart, trembled and then lost its strength.

“By killing you, half of me has died as well. You will not be lonely on your way.”

A word that could not be heard by anyone, only by the dying Tang Yang-seon.

Thud.

Everyone’s faces were filled with shock and bitterness as they looked at Tang Yang-seon, who was sprawled on the floor with the throwing knife embedded in him.

Tang Gwan turned his body with a stern face until the end.

“Burn the body. Return to your respective positions.”

“Understood!”

Their voices, as they knelt and bowed their heads, were filled with respect and pity for the family head who had boldly executed even his own flesh and blood, as well as a stronger sense of loyalty.

Thus, Tang Gwan, who had walked alone into the inner compound, looked up at the sky for a moment.

It was all gray. That’s how it looked in his eyes.

“…How many more must die before the main family’s karma is cleared?”

It would be easier to die. The remaining person, even the one who killed, is in such pain.

Tang Gwan closed his eyes.

How long had he been standing there?

“Family Head! Urgent news!”

“…What is it?”

“We have received a message from the Black Emperor Castle Lord! He has requested reinforcements!”

Tang Gwan opened his eyes again.

His eyes, which had been filled with emptiness, now emitted the fierce light of the Sichuan Overlord.

“Prepare the Snake King Corps.”