Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 130

131. The Price of Greed (1)

“How is it? Does it taste good?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

“The fresh seafood from the coast must have been quite good as well. However, I still prefer meat over seafood.”

“I see.”

Moyong Gun looked at Moyong Woo with admiration.

Moyong Woo showed no change in expression even while eating the delicious food.

It wasn’t that he was pretending it wasn’t tasty. To Moyong Woo, food was nothing more or less than sustenance for the proper functioning of the body.

Moyong Woo had been ‘trained’ that way. To maintain his body in peak condition at any time.

Even while serving as the branch leader of Zhejiang, he never lost his martial spirit. Moyong Gun thought Moyong Woo was amazing for that.

“By the way, are you still practicing the Scorching Wilderness True Energy?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Tsk, judging by your energy, it seems you’ve mastered it quite a while ago.”

“Martial arts must be continuously comprehended even after mastery. In that regard, I, your younger brother, still have a long way to go.”

“Of course. But the Scorching Wilderness True Energy is a martial art that won’t even fill half of your potential. It’s because of your talent and effort that you’ve come this far. Others wouldn’t even dream of growing to this extent.”

Moyong Gun, who had been admiring him, took out four thick books from under the table.

“I wrote these myself this morning. From now on, practice these martial arts.”

“What are these?”

“You’ll know when you see them.”

Moyong Woo examined the books.

After a moment, his eyes widened.

“Isn’t this the Heaven and Earth Martial Explanation?”

“That’s right. It’s the family’s head’s teachings. It’s a secret art that isn’t even taught in its entirety to anyone except the successor and a few selected geniuses.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes trembled.

Moyong Gun chuckled at his youngest brother’s reaction. Even a usually composed and polite fellow was still a martial artist at heart.

“Didn’t you say that if I become the Martial Alliance Leader, I should pass the family head position to you?”

“……”

“With your talent, you’ll be able to master it within ten years. No one in the family will be able to object to you inheriting the family head position.”

“…Thank you.”

Moyong Woo calmed his racing heart.

“I will master it within five years.”

“What? Hahaha!”

Moyong Gun was pleased with his youngest brother’s bold answer.

Of course, it had to be like this. The will to not just catch up but to surpass, it was easy to say but only a handful of people actually did it.

Moyong Gun had no doubt that Moyong Woo would master the family’s head teachings faster than anyone else.

“And there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Please, speak.”

“You, marriage…”

It was then.

“Family Head. It’s the White Wind Unit Leader.”

“Hmm, what is it?”

“The eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon family has come to see you. What should we do?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

“Yeon Ho-Jeong?”

Moyong Woo was greatly surprised. And he didn’t bother to hide his surprised expression.

Moyong Gun asked.

“Do you know Yeon Ho-Jeong as well?”

Moyong Woo calmly replied.

“Isn’t he the rising star known as the Byeoksan Tiger, who has been gaining fame recently?”

“Rising star… Yes, a rising star.”

“But why would he come to see you, brother…?”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“You need to know now. How dangerous that guy is.”

“…?”

“He’s young, but his martial arts already surpass the elders of the Nine Sects and Six Great Families. And his mind and strategies are comparable to mine.”

“…!”

“Martial arts, strategy, courage, execution. He’s another genius who lacks nothing. I’ve met countless talented people, but I’ve never seen a monster like him.”

It was a tremendous overestimation. Moyong Woo was genuinely surprised that such an evaluation came from his brother’s mouth.

Moyong Gun smiled.

“In a way, he might be a good opponent for you. Of course, if you become ruthless enough.”

“……”

“Haha, I’ve been talking too much nonsense. Let’s talk about the rest later.”

“Understood.”

Moyong Woo stood up and bowed his head.

“Thank you for the martial arts.”

“Yes. I have high expectations.”

Moyong Gun called out towards the door.

“Let him in.”

Creak.

The door opened, and Yeon Ho-Jeong entered.

In an instant, sparks flew from the eyes of Yeon Ho-Jeong and Moyong Woo as their gazes met.

Yeon Ho-Jeong slightly lowered his head. Then, Moyong Woo also lightly bowed his head and passed him.

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed.”

“Have a seat. We’ll have to brew some tea again.”

“It’s alright. I just had some before coming here.”

“Haha, is that so?”

Thud.

As soon as the door closed, Yeon Ho-Jeong asked.

“Who was that?”

“Hmm?”

“The person who just left.”

Moyong Gun suddenly became curious. What was Yeon Ho-Jeong’s first impression of Moyong Woo?

“What do you think? Does he seem alright?”

“How can I know someone I haven’t even had a conversation with?”

“Haha, I’m just curious about your first impression. I’d appreciate it if you could answer.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“He doesn’t seem like someone who should be sitting with the Family Head.”

“Hmm?”

“His martial arts are outstanding, but his personality seems a bit soft.”

‘Indeed, this guy’s insight is extraordinary.’

Moyong Gun smiled and spoke honestly.

“You saw well. He’s a child with outstanding talent in many areas.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought you valued a ruthless heart more than talent.”

“Hahaha! Well, that depends on me, doesn’t it?”

Moyong Gun, having refreshed himself with tea, asked.

“So, what brings you here in the middle of the day?”

“Don’t you know?”

Moyong Gun smiled slyly.

“Why? Is it so suspicious that I recommended you as the leader of a combat unit?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled back.

“It was so obviously suspicious that I even wondered if it was pure goodwill.”

“Hahaha!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked directly.

“What position were you promised?”

“Hmm?”

“When the Martial Alliance is established, what position will you take?”

“Haha, I don’t know either. At least, I don’t think I’ll be the Alliance Leader.”

“Do you plan to lead the organization that oversees the combat units?”

Moyong Gun just smiled.

His eyes were sharp and cold.

“……”

After a moment of silence, Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“There’s no need to overdo it yet, is there?”

“Overdo it?”

“You’ve made a great contribution to expelling the Myeong family, so it seems like you’re riding a tiger [a situation where one is committed to a dangerous course of action], but what if you stumble on weeds without looking left or right?”

“Haha, I haven’t lived a life so easy that I’d stumble on weeds.”

“So, are you going to push forward like this?”

“Of course. My dream is just beginning.”

“Are you confident?”

“The future is unknown to anyone. I can only do my best in my position.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Isn’t that how life is?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘He has something to rely on.’

Moyong Gun was not alone. He must have joined hands with some of the Nine Sects and Six Great Families.

‘Already in this short time? He’s not ordinary after all.’

Moyong Gun tilted his head.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“……”

“If you came to find out my true intentions about that matter, I have nothing else to say. I just thought it was a pity to let a talented person rot.”

“You’re trying to force a young man who’s barely reached adulthood into a heavy responsibility.”

“Age and skill are separate. You’ve proven your abilities enough while dealing with the Guju Myeong family and capturing Myeong Heo-Rim.”

“……”

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“I don’t know.”

“If you have nothing to say, you may leave.”

“Independent Unit.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong relaxed his expression.

“Since you’ve already recommended me, you won’t be able to take it back easily. Considering my father’s reputation, you shouldn’t.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“The combat unit I will lead will operate as an independent unit. It will belong to the Martial Alliance, but it won’t be a hothouse flower [sheltered and weak]. It will roam freely, and when a major incident occurs in the martial world, it will act under the judgment of its leader as an independent organization.”

“…?”

“Of course, excessive neglect is no different from indulgence. The only person who can give us orders is the Alliance Leader. If a separate decision-making body is established, we may also act according to the majority opinion.”

“Hahaha!”

Moyong Gun laughed in disbelief.

“Do you really think I’ll accept your demands?”

“Won’t you?”

“Of course not. Even if I had such a mind, I’m just the head of a family. I can’t proceed with such a thing on my own.”

“This is our third meeting, but we know each other quite well. Isn’t that right?”

“I’ve been thinking this for a while, but your way of speaking is too rude to just let it slide.”

“Let’s drop the cumbersome mask and talk.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s pupils turned blue.

The color of the Byukra True Energy, which was usually so beautiful, looked particularly eerie today.

“You can do it, can’t you?”

“……”

“You and I, we don’t know each other’s limits yet. But I know one thing. We’re not so incompetent that we can’t use that much power.”

Moyong Gun’s expression turned cold.

There was the true face of a ruthless ambitious man that he was showing to Yeon Ho-Jeong for the first time.

“If I set my mind to it, there’s nothing I can’t do. But why should I give you such power? I’m not a philanthropist who does good deeds for others out of kindness.”

“That’s why I’m doing this.”

“Are you trying to do some more calculations?”

“What’s your relationship with the Jeomchang Sect?”

Moyong Gun’s expression hardened.

“What are you talking about?”

“I must have said it before. If you’re going to use people, use those who can keep their mouths shut.”

“…?!”

“If you were trying to instill a sense of vigilance, you succeeded wonderfully. Thanks to that, I’ve been cooped up at home for a couple of months, just swinging my axe.”

“……”

“Isn’t life full of ups and downs? You hit me once, so now it’s my turn to hit you. That arrow you shot, if I refine it well, I might be able to shoot it back.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled brightly.

“Should I shoot the arrow named ‘Mong-Ui’ into your chest? Or should I aim it at the Jeomchang Sect? Order as you please. I’m in charge of the cooking.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes twitched.

He realized that Yeon Ho-Jeong was not lying. Even if it was a lie, he couldn’t ignore it now that the name ‘Mong-Ui’ had come up.

“Are you holding him?”

“I’ve kept him safe in the prison. He’s quite damaged though.”

Moyong Gun said in a cold voice.

“Even if I send him to the Jeomchang Sect, can it really affect the big picture? If he was that kind of guy, I wouldn’t have sent him.”

“He was using the lost Four Illusions Sword Technique, wasn’t he?”

“…!!”

“Didn’t you know? Didn’t Mong-Ui tell you?”

Moyong Gun’s face visibly contorted.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said in a cheerful tone.

“My stake is ready. Bring the abacus [a tool for calculation].”