Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 195

A heavy silence fell.

Tang Gwan glared at Tang Sang-ah with a menacing look.

In contrast, Tang Sang-ah’s expression seemed relaxed. It wasn’t easy to maintain a calm demeanor while her father was glaring at her with such intensity.

After a moment, Tang Gwan spoke, his voice tight.

“I cannot allow it.”

“……”

“I’ll speak with the Moyong Clan Head. Go back to your quarters and rest.”

“I’m going.”

Tang Gwan’s voice rose, laced with frustration.

“Do you even know where you’re going?!”

“It’s a death trap. With Tu Wang Yang Cheon [a powerful and notorious figure] involved, I could lose my life at any moment.”

“And you still say that knowing all of this?!”

“It’s the path I’ve chosen.”

“There’s no such thing as a glorious death. Go back now. I can’t send you on this mission.”

“The head of the practical team, Commander Yeon, has already included my name on the operation order.”

“I can just tear up that piece of paper.”

“Even if you burn it, I’m still going.”

*Fwoosh.*

A toxic aura emanated from Tang Gwan’s body. His rage caused his poison technique to activate uncontrollably.

“Do you want me to tie you up and lock you away myself?”

Tang Sang-ah looked directly into Tang Gwan’s eyes, her gaze unwavering.

“Why are you suddenly acting like this?”

“Is that even a question?!”

“I’m genuinely curious.”

“A member of the Tang family moving as they please without the permission of the family head? If you weren’t my daughter, you’d be locked in the prison right now!”

“Was I ever your daughter?”

“What?”

Tang Sang-ah spoke as if she had reached a firm decision.

“When did I become your daughter, Father? Was it when Grandfather taught me directly? Or when the family members rated me higher than Yang Seon?”

“……!”

“Or was it when you decided to send your useless, yet talented daughter to the Moyong family?”

Tang Gwan’s nostrils flared, his face contorted with a mix of shock and anger.

He was taken aback by his daughter’s unexpected defiance. He was both confused and furious.

Just as Tang Gwan was about to speak again, Tang Sang-ah added, her voice sharp.

“Wasn’t I just supposed to leave the family?”

“……!”

“That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it? For me, the eyesore, not to be a hindrance to Yang Seon, the successor.”

He never expected her to bring up such a sensitive issue so directly.

While the flustered Tang Gwan was stammering, Tang Sang-ah dropped a bombshell.

“You might not believe it, but I understand you, Father. There are family rules and history. That’s why I’ve endured it until now.”

“……”

“But if you try to suppress my desire to find my own life outside the family, then I’ll have no choice but to abandon the Tang surname.”

“Wh-what did you say?!”

Tang Gwan’s face turned bright red, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Are you out of your mind?!”

To abandon the Tang surname? That was no different from severing ties with the family. It was a profound act of rebellion.

In a martial arts sect, it was akin to expulsion. In the sentiments of the Central Plains, it was a more terrifying statement than saying one would take their own life.

Tang Gwan truly couldn’t comprehend the situation. Why had his usually docile daughter suddenly become so assertive?

Tang Sang-ah’s expression gradually hardened, her voice gaining an edge.

“Then what is it that you want, Father? Don’t interfere with Yang Seon, don’t live as you please. You’re not a person, just a doll, is that it?”

“You! Are you trying to fight your father?!”

“What am I to you? A daughter, or just a piece of property?”

“……!”

“While we’re on the subject, let’s talk about this too. I came here prepared as well.”

Tang Sang-ah closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

“If you think of me as your daughter, please respect my decision. But if you think of me as an object you can dispose of at any time, then kill me here and now.”

Tang Gwan’s face turned pale, his body trembling slightly.

Not only did she say she would abandon her surname, but she also asked to be killed. He never imagined such extreme words would come from his daughter’s mouth.

*Shudder.*

The toxic aura that had been seeping out faltered, its intensity diminishing.

Tang Sang-ah opened her eyes, her gaze piercing.

In her eyes, she saw her father’s distorted face, his breathing labored, his composure shattered.

“I’ll get going now.”

“You’re not an object.”

“……?”

“I’ve never thought of you as an object. You are my daughter, no one can deny that.”

Tang Sang-ah’s eyes wavered, a flicker of emotion crossing her face.

Tang Gwan continued in a heavy voice, his tone laced with a hint of vulnerability.

“The Tang Martial Army has many members. Commander Moyong Woo is also a genius of his time. That’s why I didn’t say anything. I thought it wouldn’t be bad for you to join the organization for the experience.”

“……”

“But this time is different. It’s a dangerous mission where you could lose your life! And to be under that brat’s command, I absolutely cannot allow it!”

“I’d like to ask you again this time.”

“……?”

“Are you genuinely worried about my life? Or are you worried about me being taken hostage by Commander Yeon?”

Tang Gwan’s eyes flickered for a moment, his gaze betraying his inner turmoil.

Tang Sang-ah sighed, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice just because I always smile? That you and Clan Head Moyong are in a power struggle with the opposing faction led by the Yeon family.”

“……!”

“I don’t know what your true intentions are, Father. But I am me. I don’t want to be anyone’s hostage, nor do I want to be hindered from doing what I want.”

“That is…”

A somewhat suppressed voice came from Tang Gwan’s mouth, his resistance waning.

“It’s not a matter of what you want.”

“I know. That’s why I plan to crush anyone who tries to touch me, no matter the reason.”

“……!!”

Tang Sang-ah rose from her seat, her movements decisive.

“I’ll be back.”

With those words, Tang Sang-ah left the residence, leaving her father in stunned silence.

Tang Gwan stared at the spot where his daughter had been sitting for a long time before letting out a sigh, his mind reeling.

‘What is this?’

He never imagined he would be so flustered by his daughter’s rebellion. He had always seen her as docile and obedient.

He thought he could break her will with a single scolding. In fact, he was flustered at the beginning of the conversation, but he didn’t hesitate to assert his authority.

However, he couldn’t help but be shocked by his daughter’s unexpected words. Her defiance had shaken him to his core.

To abandon her surname? To ask to be killed instead? These were not the words of the daughter he thought he knew.

Who would have imagined that his usually docile daughter would become so fierce, so resolute?

At that moment, Tang Gwan recalled a conversation with his father, a memory that surfaced unexpectedly.

‘I failed to understand the hearts of my family. Perhaps most of the past clan heads were like that. But I realized too late that it shouldn’t be that way.’

‘What is it that you wish to say?’

‘I hope that you will not be like the clan heads who were consumed by the family traditions and became puppets of the family law.’

‘Don’t worry. I am different from you, Father.’

‘You’re wrong. Among my children, there is no one who resembles me as much as you do. That’s why I’m worried.’

*Bang!*

Green smoke rose from Tang Gwan’s fist as he slammed it on the table, his frustration reaching its peak.

* * *

“Have a cup of tea.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a sip of tea, his expression neutral.

“How is it? Is it good?”

“It’s fine.”

“There’s no sincerity in your voice.”

“I don’t really know about tea. If it’s not bad, it’s all good.”

“Hahaha.”

“So, why did you call the person who’s about to depart?”

Moyong Gun smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Is there any special reason? I know how difficult this mission is, so I should at least offer a cup of tea to the departing head of the practical team.”

“Suddenly, the tea tastes bitter.”

“Why? Am I not allowed to worry about you?”

“Were you ever the type to worry about me?”

“I should worry. Especially this time.”

Moyong Gun took out a neatly folded letter from his pocket and handed it over, his smile unwavering.

Confusion appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face, his brow furrowing slightly.

“What is this?”

“I’ve already given it to Hu Gae, but I’m giving it to you separately. It’s a collection of information on useful sects and organizations. There aren’t many, so choose appropriately depending on the situation.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Useful sects? They must be mediocre.”

Moyong Gun smiled contentedly, pleased with Yeon Ho-Jeong’s reaction.

“As expected, I can communicate with you. I had to explain everything to Hu Gae.”

“Hu Gae is also a smart person. It’s just that he’s very suspicious of you.”

“Knowing when to be suspicious and when to trust. That’s also a skill.”

“That’s a nice way to put it.”

“In that sense, you’re a truly amazing friend. You’re smart, have good insight, and have a great sense of intuition.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong accepted the letter and tucked it into his pocket, his expression still guarded.

“I’ll take it anyway.”

Moyong Gun, still smiling, spoke in a more serious tone, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Be careful.”

“Of course.”

“This mission, if you think of it as simple, it can be endlessly simple. But the fact that there’s a Tu Wang [a powerful and dangerous figure] on the other side makes it worth classifying as a top-tier mission.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded, his gaze thoughtful.

In fact, Yang Cheon, as he remembered him, was no ordinary person. He had developed much more since their last encounter, and while he had been lucky when he won against Yang Cheon, he knew the man’s capabilities.

But Yang Cheon’s terror wasn’t just his martial arts. It was his unpredictable nature.

“Besides, according to my separate report, Yang Cheon is…”

“Someone who fights without rules?”

“How did you know?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong pretended not to know, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

“I’ve been suspicious. Yang Cheon isn’t well-known in the Central Plains. Yet, he was classified as a black path and even earned the title of Tu Wang, right?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s much harder to tame a rat than to catch a fierce tiger. But Yang Cheon did it.”

Moyong Gun chuckled, a hint of admiration in his voice.

It was similar to what he had said to Tang Gwan. He definitely thought this guy was in the same category as him, someone who could see through the surface.

“That’s right. That’s why it’s even more terrifying.”

“If Yang Cheon had paved that path alone without anyone’s help, that would be even stranger. It would mean he had been hiding his outstanding abilities until now.”

“So you were suspicious.”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Gun shook his head, his expression turning serious.

“There’s definitely a possibility that Yang Cheon received help from someone. But don’t be too sure. If you push that part too hard, you might not survive.”

“I know.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll handle it well.”

The two of them took a sip of tea at the same time, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding.

Moyong Gun spoke again, his tone more measured.

“In fact, even though I’m the commander, the practical team is the core of this mission. Even if we wanted to exchange information, the distance is too great, so your judgment as the head of the practical team will determine the success or failure of the mission.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled, a hint of challenge in his eyes.

“It would have been nice if you had come along.”

Moyong Gun waved his hand dismissively, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Don’t say that. I’d rather fight the enemy’s leader than get involved in such a complicated battle.”

“Why? You, who wouldn’t hesitate to engage in even more complicated battles to become the supreme ruler.”

It was a statement that could freeze the warm atmosphere in an instant, a subtle jab at Moyong Gun’s ambitions.

Moyong Gun retorted with a nonchalant attitude, his smile unwavering.

“That’s what I’m saying. I don’t want to focus on this mission while dealing with that headache of a battle.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled, his amusement evident.

“Let’s have a temporary truce.”

“Haven’t we already done that?”

“You know? That’s not what I meant.”

Moyong Gun’s smile deepened, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

“Why? Are you worried that I might do something strange while you’re gone?”

“I wouldn’t have worried in the past, but seeing you recently, it seems like you’re capable of anything.”

*He’s a truly terrifying guy.*

Contrary to his thoughts, Moyong Gun shrugged and looked away, his expression casual.

“A fight can only happen if there’s an opponent. Don’t worry too much about that and focus on the mission.”

“I’ll make it clear.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold for a moment, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

“Don’t make any attacks until I return.”

Frost descended on Moyong Gun’s face as well, his smile vanishing, replaced by a steely resolve.

“That’s up to me.”

The two stared at each other for a long time, the tension between them palpable, a silent battle of wills.

But that was only for a moment. The unspoken threat hung in the air, a reminder of their complex relationship.

Soon, Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and rose from his seat, the tension dissipating as quickly as it had appeared.

“The tea was good.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

Moyong Gun also relaxed his expression, his smile returning, though it held a hint of caution.

“Contact me as soon as you enter the area controlled by Yang Cheon. As you know, Yang Cheon is increasing his power even at this moment.”

“I understand.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his fist in a salute, a gesture of respect and farewell.

“Then.”

Moyong Gun also clasped his fist in return, his gaze serious.

“May fortune be with you.”