Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 154

Under the gentle moonlight.

The faces of the two men, who had set up a drinking table on a pavilion in the backyard where no one could see them, looked quite bright.

“No need for long words. Let’s have a drink first.”

“Good.”

Clang.

The glasses clinked, making a clear and beautiful sound.

Yeon Ho-Jeong emptied his glass coolly.

“Kyah!”

Refreshing.

He temporarily put down the burden on his shoulders and completely relieved his accumulated fatigue. His body felt light, and the moonlight was perfect. Adding a drink on top of that made him feel incredibly relaxed.

Moyong Woo smiled gently.

“You drink so heartily.”

“There’s no chance of being ambushed while drinking.”

He spoke of something gruesome with a smiling face. Moyong Woo spoke with a slightly downcast expression.

“Was it that hard?”

“It was just so-so.”

Actually, compared to his time as the Dark Emperor, it wasn’t that difficult. A fight to the death was all the same, wasn’t it?

However, throughout the fight, he had to pay attention to the safety of the soldiers, and he also had to look at each of the black-clad warriors to see if there was anyone he knew from the past.

Was that why? Every moment, the mental strain was great. It was a schedule where the mental fatigue was greater than the physical fatigue.

“It’s okay. It seems like I can shake it all off from now on.”

Moyong Woo smiled.

“I don’t know what happened, but you look very good. Well, that’s all that matters.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“What I did is obvious, but I can’t imagine how you’ve been holding up?”

“……”

“Tell me how you’ve been. There’s no proper snack, so I’ll just use that as a snack to drink.”

Moyong Woo gave a bright smile.

He was the same as ever. At the same time, something was subtly different.

He gave off a more human feeling than when he had seen him before. Moyong Woo liked that change in Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Although he had not met Yeon Ho-Jeong many times, he was sure that he was not a bad person. Moyong Woo sincerely thought so.

‘He’s a reliable younger brother.’

Was it because he wasn’t a bad person? That wasn’t it.

Even if Yeon Ho-Jeong was an extremely wicked villain, he would still think of him from time to time.

Why? Was it because he was the one who helped him, who had been cowering, to come to his senses?

‘No.’

The starlight was reflected in Moyong Woo’s clear eyes.

‘Yeon-je has something that makes people admire him.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was not like the eldest son of the Yeon family, who was famous for his propriety and negotiation. Sometimes he was rough and unconventional, and sometimes he was gentle and humane.

Those contrasting personalities came together to create Yeon Ho-Jeong’s unique atmosphere.

It felt like he had wings, and he had a sense of freedom that made it seem like he could go anywhere once he moved.

“Why? Is there something on my face?”

“No. It’s just that, seeing you after a long time, I thought you were a very reliable younger brother.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You’re so corny.”

“I’d like to drink a little more comfortably, but it’s better to finish the work talk first, right?”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Woo explained in detail how he had been doing and what had happened over the past years.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

“The Tang Clan?”

“That’s right.”

“What happened to the Central Plains Battlefield, and why suddenly the Tang Clan?”

“I guess they thought the Tang Clan was better than the Central Plains Battlefield.”

“Hmm.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“If we’re assuming a power struggle, the Tang Clan is definitely better than the Central Plains Battlefield. Moreover, the Tang Clan leader is also a fellow Bonggong [a high-ranking official], so it would be good to push something through during the Bonggong Council.”

Moyong Woo nodded.

“I think so too. However…”

He couldn’t easily continue his words.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled gently.

“Why? Is it because you’re going to marry someone you’ve never met?”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Woo sighed deeply.

“How many people in this world get married after building a relationship? I never thought I could escape such a rigid relationship either. But…”

“Because of Moyong Gun?”

“…That’s right.”

The two were planning to oust Moyong Gun in the future.

However, Moyong Gun was trying to join hands with Tang Gwan, the head of the Tang Clan. In other words, they would become a political community with the Tang Clan.

What if the Tang Clan could not be excluded in the process of driving out Moyong Gun?

Moyong Woo would have to take down not only his brother but also his in-laws.

“That’s something to worry about.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong did not say that Moyong Woo’s determination was half-hearted, or that he had joined hands with him without that level of resolve.

It was a problem that was worth worrying about. Also, it was because Moyong Woo had such humanity that he had decided to make him the leader of the Martial Alliance.

“Actually, I was surprised when the story about the eldest daughter of the Central Plains Battlefield came up. I never thought you would try to join hands with a new force through me.”

“It’s a common method that has been used since ancient times to solidify the power base through marriages between powerful families.”

“I know. I know, but it’s inevitable that I’m worried because I’m the target.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“Let me say it outright. It’s a useless worry.”

“A useless worry?”

“You haven’t even met the Tang Clan’s daughter yet, have you?”

Moyong Woo said, as if he was taken aback.

“Of course not. But my brother and the Tang Clan leader will push it through no matter what…”

“That can’t be.”

“Huh?”

Unlike Moyong Woo’s starlit eyes, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were as intense as the sun.

“The Moyong Gun I know never gives up his people when faced with a choice.”

“……!”

“Moyong Gun’s words are sincere. He said he would break off the marriage if you didn’t like the Tang Clan’s daughter.”

“Of course, I think so too.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about, right?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“Put down the heavy burden of a marriage between families, and just meet her first.”

“……”

“It’s not like the two families will immediately push for marriage just because the two of you met, right? It’s just a meeting, literally.”

“Y-yes, but…”

“Why? Do you want to make rapid progress as soon as you meet her?”

“Y-Yeon-je!”

Moyong Woo’s face turned red. It seemed like he was embarrassed just thinking about it.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled. He was like an innocent nobleman.

“Don’t feel burdened. It’s just a meeting between people. Attaching all sorts of meanings to it is just an armchair discussion. There’s also a saying that seeing is believing.”

Moyong Woo sighed deeply.

“Yeon-je is right. Maybe the reason I’m uncomfortable is because the meeting itself doesn’t have a pure intention.”

“How many people want to meet with pure intentions? Did my intention in coming to you have any purity?”

“……”

“That’s how it is. It’s better to throw away the idea that this is different and that is okay. Of course, there are also problems that cannot be compromised.”

“Hoo.”

He came to have a good time, but somehow he kept sighing. A bitter light flickered on Moyong Woo’s face.

Yeon Ho-Jeong filled his glass.

“If you’re so worried, change your mind.”

“Hmm? Change my mind, what does that mean?”

“If you don’t like the Tang Clan’s daughter, there’s nothing you can do. But what if you do like her?”

Moyong Woo’s expression immediately became serious.

“Then I shouldn’t get married even more. For her sake, and for my own sake.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong wore a strange smile.

“That’s right. That’s romantic. But you need to expand your thinking a little more.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why can’t you think of making her completely your person?”

“……!!”

“You give up because you like her? That’s ridiculous. If you like her, move as your heart tells you. So, if you get married? Then it’s good.”

Moyong Woo’s mouth dropped open.

“Think about the aftermath later. You’re already dying under your brother, hiding your true feelings, right? I don’t think it’s bad to relieve your fatigue by facing the person you love.”

“…What if.”

“Hmm?”

“What if that person is greatly shocked? No, she surely will be.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Then you have to accept all of the other person’s resentment.”

“……”

“You’re not meeting that person for the sake of gaining the Tang Clan’s power or for the Moyong family. You’re meeting her because things have turned out this way. At least, you have no intention of hurting the other person.”

“……”

“But if you’re still worried, you can meet the Tang Clan’s daughter tomorrow and say you won’t marry her. That’s all.”

In the end, it meant that everything should be decided after meeting her.

Moyong Woo, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, smiled bitterly.

“I’m sorry. I showed you a pathetic side as your older brother.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Huh?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“I’ve never recognized you as my older brother? You calling me your younger brother is just something you’re doing on your own, right?”

“What?”

Moyong Woo, who was surprised and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong, laughed loudly.

“Hahaha!”

The clear laughter filled the night sky.

He suddenly realized that it had been a long time since he had laughed so freely. It really felt like the anxiety and worries that had been in his heart were all flying away.

Moyong Woo, who had been laughing for a while, said calmly.

“It’s about time to sort out the titles. I’ll call you brother.”

“No.”

“Why? I know I’m lacking, but at least I’m confident that I can remain as Yeon-je’s older brother.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I have no intention of having a pathetic person who is struggling with relationship problems as my older brother.”

“Everyone is clumsy at first.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring at Moyong Woo, turned his head and drank his alcohol.

“Kuh, that’s refreshing.”

Moyong Woo coughed awkwardly, as if he was embarrassed.

“I was just kidding. If you really don’t want to, I have no intention of forcing a brotherhood…”

“Go meet the Tang Clan’s daughter well tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t lose this appearance of yours today and meet her well. Don’t make a mistake like a fool.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes shone mysteriously in the pouring moonlight.

“If you meet her well like a man and come back, then I’ll call you brother.”

Moyong Woo’s face brightened.

“Don’t worry. Even though I look like this, I have a manly side…”

“You don’t.”

“I do! What do you take me for?”

“Well? A half-wit who doesn’t know how to use his natural talent?”

“Hey, what kind of way is that to talk to your older brother?”

“Shut up.”

Moyong Woo burst into laughter.

It was a good time. It was a really good time. Moyong Woo sincerely thought that it was fortunate that he had come to see Yeon Ho-Jeong tonight.

Several rounds of drinks went by like that.

“So, have you seen all the people who will be joining the Tangma Army [a special military unit]?”

“I have.”

“How were they?”

Moyong Woo’s eyes shone.

“They were all outstanding.”

“I guess so. Moyong Gun must have put a lot of effort into it.”

“And there’s one thing I want to discuss about that.”

“What is it? How to control your subordinates?”

“I’ll take care of that myself, so don’t worry.”

“You’re strangely forceful in these areas. Okay, what do you want to discuss?”

Moyong Woo said seriously.

“I’ll have to take one of my younger brother’s possessions.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“You want to take a move?”

“I think I have to.”

“Hmm.”

“As for this side’s situation…”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to hear it?”

“I know about your relationship with Moyong Gun without even looking. Besides, if you know too much in detail, it might be confusing. There’s a chance you’ll make a mistake when you meet Moyong Gun in the future.”

“Hmm, I understand.”

“Are you doing well?”

“I think so.”

“Then that’s enough. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stroked his chin.

“You’re going to take one of my possessions… Hmm, what should I give you that Moyong Gun would like?”

“There’s no need to overdo it. I just thought it was time to make my presence known to my brother.”

“If you’re going to make your presence known, it’s better to give him something quite substantial without making him suspicious.”

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled. He had a good idea.

“When is the Tangma Army scheduled to depart?”