Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 162

Moyong Woo’s face showed surprise.

“You are?”

“…Ha, hahaha.”

Tang Sang-ah, who had been extremely flustered, eventually gave an awkward laugh.

Of course, such a laugh couldn’t resolve this situation.

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at Moyong Woo.

“Do you know her?”

“……”

“Hey, you.”

“Huh! Uh, yes?”

“I’m asking if you know her.”

By now, Moyong Woo’s face was also filled with bewilderment.

“Ah, this person is… well…”

This person? Hmm?

‘Indeed.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong scanned Tang Sang-ah’s attire.

It wasn’t as meticulously dressed as Muk Bi in her palace attire. However, the high-quality silk and delicate, antique embroidery suggested she was likely from a good family.

Moreover.

‘This deep and strangely sharp inner force is quite familiar?’

Surprisingly, her internal energy level was almost on par with Moyong Woo. Moyong Woo had also greatly increased his internal energy while mastering the Moyong family’s martial arts, but if her level was comparable, it was no ordinary matter.

Such people were rare, even within the Martial Alliance.

‘She looks like she’s in her early twenties, but her eyes show experience. She’s probably around thirty.’

It was then.

Tang Sang-ah suddenly stood up and bowed deeply, almost reverently.

“I apologize. I’m sorry for sneaking in and causing trouble. I sincerely apologize.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“First, you should introduce yourself, right? So, what’s your identity?”

He wasn’t overly rough, but he had a strangely reckless, rogue-like feel.

Tang Sang-ah was taken aback by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s tone, but she didn’t show it.

Whatever the reason, she was the one in the wrong. That was what mattered.

“I’m someone named Sang-ah. Uh, well…”

“…?”

“I apologize once again. I was curious and followed Lord Moyong, but I acted against proper conduct.”

Tang Sang-ah bent her waist in half.

“I’m truly sorry.”

“…Hmm.”

She’s a strangely interesting person?

Yeon Ho-Jeong was intrigued by her words and actions.

‘At least, she doesn’t seem to have bad intentions.’

Having met so many people, he could now roughly discern a person’s character just by looking at their eyes.

Furthermore, having broken through the Wall of Supreme Martial Arts [a significant achievement in martial arts], and achieved a qualitative improvement in his internal energy, his essence, energy, and spirit were aligned, and his practical intuition had developed.

In his view, this woman named Sang-ah was not someone with grand ambitions or someone who would pry into others’ affairs.

At least, that was the feeling.

‘Hmm? But Sang-ah, you say?’

He had definitely heard that name somewhere?

Then, Moyong Woo spoke.

“Miss Tang.”

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

‘The Tang family? Tang Sang-ah? Then, the Dark Sky Goddess?!’

One of the Dragon and Three Peaks [referring to a group of powerful martial artists], and the eldest daughter of the Sichuan Tang family, whom the Tang family head was rumored to cherish more than his own son.

And the eldest daughter of the Tang family, whom Moyong Woo had clearly met yesterday.

‘No wonder.’

Her internal energy’s quality and color were completely different from Tang Yang-seon’s.

Rather, it was similar to Tang Gwan’s during his Dark Emperor days. Of course, she was far less powerful, but the flow and strength were just like her father.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was staring at Tang Sang-ah as if in a trance when Moyong Woo spoke.

“You said you followed me?”

“Yes?”

Moyong Woo’s face was somewhat stiff.

Tang Sang-ah’s face also darkened.

“…Yes. I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“Ah, well…”

It was then.

“Muk Bi.”

“Yes?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled darkly.

“Could you get us some tea?”

Muk Bi, who was about to ask why he was asking her, suddenly flinched. She had seen the expression on this man’s face, which was impossible to read.

‘Is he planning something again?’

Muk Bi nodded.

“Okay. Wait a moment.”

“There’s plenty of time. You can take your time.”

“Tsk. As if you wouldn’t.”

Muk Bi turned and glanced at Tang Sang-ah.

Tang Sang-ah silently bowed her head. Her actions were full of apology.

Muk Bi clicked her tongue and left the room.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clapped his hands.

“Alright, let’s sit down first.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s sit. It’s awkward to keep standing.”

Moyong Woo looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong in bewilderment.

‘Yeon-je?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong ignored his gaze.

“You said you were Miss Tang?”

“Yes? Ah, yes, I am.”

“Sit down.”

There was a strange force in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice. Tang Sang-ah hesitated and sat down on a chair.

Thus, the three of them sat around the table.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked.

“By the way, what’s your relationship with Lord Moyong that you followed him secretly?”

“Huh! We’re not in any relationship!”

She seemed to be flustered by her own words. Tang Sang-ah quickly continued.

“Ah, well! It’s not that we’re not in any relationship, but how should I put it… well…”

“Aha? Perhaps?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were openly lecherous. Tang Sang-ah quickly said, seeing his nostrils twitching and a strange smile on his face.

“It’s not like that! Absolutely not! I just…!”

“What did I say?”

“Yes?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Ugh.”

Tang Sang-ah’s face turned red.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a cheerful air.

“Ah! The season is turning to autumn, but the breeze carries the warm sunlight of spring. Heh heh, my heart feels warm!”

Moyong Woo said in a heavily suppressed voice.

“Lord Yeon, don’t tease her too much.”

“Tease? What kind of relationship do you and I have that I would tease you?”

“I’m not talking about myself.”

“Then?”

Moyong Woo was flustered.

“Why do you keep doing this? Anyway, if you have nothing else to say, let’s end this meeting.”

End it? It’s just getting interesting.

Anyway, it was necessary to change the atmosphere.

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“Miss Tang.”

“Yes?”

“Did you come because of your younger sibling?”

Younger sibling?

In an instant, Tang Sang-ah’s eyes deepened.

“Are you talking about Yang-seon?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression became calm.

“You must have heard about it. What that guy did, and who crushed him.”

“…The Wall-Crushing Tiger, Yeon Ho-Jeong. That’s you, Lord Yeon.”

“That’s right.”

A cold aura arose in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

“It was clearly that guy who was in the wrong first. I think I showed mercy by not killing an enemy who even used assassins just because he was in a bad mood. And that was twice.”

“……”

“But as a sibling, you can certainly show hostility to the person who ruined your brother, regardless of the cause and effect. I probably would have done the same.”

Tang Sang-ah said in a calmer voice.

“Lord Yeon, are you saying that I came to target you, not Lord Moyong?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“The Tang family is a prestigious family of poison and hidden weapons. Wouldn’t they be better at killing someone than most assassins?”

It was a very provocative remark.

Even if he had been in the wrong first, it was not a remark that a descendant of a prestigious family could easily accept. Anyone with a strong sense of pride in their family would have been justified in getting angry.

What would Tang Sang-ah’s reaction be?

“Yang-seon’s mistake is clear.”

“Hmm?”

“For the victim, it was like a bolt out of the blue. As Lord Yeon said, it’s something to be grateful for that he was spared instead of being killed.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

Tang Sang-ah’s calm expression was genuine. But it didn’t seem like she hated or despised her brother.

What did it mean that she could say such things?

“I’ll ask directly. You didn’t come to kill me?”

Tang Sang-ah wore a faint smile.

“The young tiger of Gangdong. A passionate man who tried to face the strongest family in the world alone, the commander of the Martial Alliance’s Extermination Army, and a genius master who broke through the Wall of Supreme Martial Arts at the youngest age in the current martial world.”

“……”

“With my level of skill, I can’t touch you. I’d end up in the same state as my brother.”

She was sincere when apologizing, and she didn’t get easily agitated by provocative remarks. She had the wisdom to soothe an aggressive opponent and make them accept her innocence. She was a person who knew how to draw a clear line. Such people were rare in the martial world, regardless of gender.

‘I like her.’

She had a good character. No, in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s view, Tang Sang-ah was a person who had a human touch, unlike the notoriously ruthless Sichuan Tang family.

“So, I wasn’t your target?”

“Yes. I don’t like fighting in the first place.”

“I never thought the Dark Sky Goddess would say such a thing.”

Tang Sang-ah said bitterly.

“Right? That’s what everyone thinks.”

“It seems like you have to meet people to know them.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded and then made a dark expression again.

“Then, why did you secretly follow Lord Moyong?”

“Ugh.”

Tang Sang-ah fiddled with her hair for no reason.

“Well, that’s…”

“That’s?”

Moyong Woo also seemed curious and subtly looked at Tang Sang-ah.

Tang Sang-ah’s face turned slightly red.

“You might not believe me.”

“Tell me.”

“…Because I was bored.”

“…?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong blinked like a fool. Moyong Woo stared blankly at Tang Sang-ah, as if in disbelief.

Tang Sang-ah’s face turned even redder.

“I, I know it sounds ridiculous even to me. But it’s true. I was really bored. I happened to see Lord Moyong, and he looked a bit serious. I was curious and had nothing else to do, so I just…”

“And that led you to hide in the ceiling?”

“Ack! I was about to leave! You know, you might not believe this either, but I have a serious condition where I can’t control myself once I get fixated on something. There’s this crazy, unconscious part of me that I don’t even know about…”

“I believe you.”

“…Yes?”

“I said I believe you.”

Tang Sang-ah’s eyes bulged out like marbles.

“R, really?”

She seemed to have expected to be treated like an idiot for saying that. Rather, Tang Sang-ah’s expression looked more bewildered than Yeon Ho-Jeong’s or Moyong Woo’s.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked Moyong Woo.

“You don’t believe her?”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“There’s no reason not to believe her.”

“Really?”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Woo sincerely thought so.

It wasn’t because he was quick-witted, but because he actually thought that people could do that if they were bored. Of course, how many people would be like that in the martial world where swords were constantly drawn, but there was no reason not to believe her when she was speaking so sincerely.

People were all different. There were many people who were stranger than her. That was the world.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Anyway, I know you don’t have any ill intentions.”

“Huh! Thank you! You really believe me!”

“I believe you. But I think belief and forgiveness are different matters.”

Tang Sang-ah’s expression, which had been as bright as a blooming flower, turned into a withered weed in an instant.

“Y, yes, that’s right. After all, I did something very wrong.”

“That’s right.”

“…I’m really sorry. If it’s within the bounds of what’s right, I’ll pay any price.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, and even Moyong Woo, smiled.

She was a good person.

She was unique, but she also knew how to be serious, and she didn’t lie. That was her established personality.

For Yeon Ho-Jeong, it was a rare type of purity he hadn’t seen in a long time, except for Muk Bi and Yeon Ji-Pyeong, and for Moyong Woo, it was a type he was seeing for the first time.

“Lord Moyong.”

“Hmm?”

“How much time is left until the founding ceremony?”

“Huh? Ack!”

Moyong Woo jumped up from his seat.

“It’s almost noon. I need to get going.”

“I see.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded and pointed his chin at Tang Sang-ah.

“Take her with you.”

“…Huh?”

“I said, take her with you.”

“M, me?”

“Then should I take her? You told me not to come, right?”

“That’s true, but Miss Tang doesn’t necessarily need to attend the founding ceremony…”

“She should attend. She’s part of the Extermination Army from today.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes widened. Tang Sang-ah had no idea what was going on and just rolled her eyes around.

“What does that mean?”

“Miss Tang said she would pay the price. Wouldn’t someone with Miss Tang’s level of power be a great help to the Extermination Army?”

“Eek?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“If you’ve done something wrong, you should pay the price. Isn’t that right, Miss Tang?”

“……”

“You said you were bored? Then, work.”

Tang Sang-ah’s eyes went blank.

For the first time in her life, she cursed her own curiosity.