Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 256

“Vice-Chief. A guest from the Moyong family has arrived.”

Yang Cheon, who had been sitting with his eyes closed on the grand master’s chair, opened his mouth.

“Let them in.”

“Yes.”

Thump, thump!

The door opened, and small, light footsteps echoed.

The corners of Yang Cheon’s lips curled up.

‘Not bad.’

He had heard that she was of age.

Considering her age, she had accumulated considerable martial arts skills. She wasn’t quite a once-in-a-lifetime genius, and it seemed she hadn’t experienced real combat, but still, as expected of someone from a prestigious family, her martial arts were quite decent.

Swoosh.

A subtle tension was evident in the sound of her clothes brushing against the edge of the stairs.

It was only natural. It was a meeting between a young junior and one of the legendary Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Star, a legend of the current martial world. It was impossible not to be nervous.

‘She’s different, after all.’

A bitter expression crossed Yang Cheon’s face.

‘Jeong, there was no one like him.’

Even the sound of Jeong’s footsteps was different.

He wasn’t without tension, but he exuded a dignity that was more confident than anyone else in the world. It was as if he himself were another absolute being, a powerful pride like a giant going to meet a foreign monarch.

It was truly remarkable confidence. No matter how great one’s martial prowess, there would be few in the world who could show such composure when facing one of the Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Star.

Thinking about it, it felt like a losing proposition.

If Jeong was nurtured well, he was clearly a genius who would grow into a giant capable of discussing the world within ten years. But the girl climbing the stairs was questionable whether she could discuss the world even after thirty years of training, let alone ten.

‘It can’t be helped.’

From the start, she was meant to be a bridge for the connection with Moyong Gun. She wasn’t entirely his own person, so there was no reason to be particularly disappointed.

Yet, the fact that he felt regret meant that the impression Jeong had left was that strong.

“Moyong Yeon-hwa of the Moyong family greets the King of the Black Path.”

Yang Cheon opened his eyes.

Below the grand master’s chair, on the red carpet, was a frail woman kneeling and bowing.

‘Still.’

Her voice was calm.

She was nervous, but she was an individual who knew how to control herself. It was only because Jeong was so outstanding that she seemed less impressive; objectively, she was also a talented individual worthy of praise.

Yang Cheon, who had been quietly looking down at Moyong Yeon-hwa, finally opened his mouth.

“Raise your head.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa raised her upper body.

Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.

‘Hmm.’

Her beautiful appearance was secondary.

The girl’s gaze as she looked up at him was quite confident. In her clear black and white eyes, there was even a hint of anticipation.

‘…Indeed, there was a reason why he called her an outstanding child.’

You never know a person until you see them in person.

Her gaze was better than he had expected. It was only because his disappointment in Jeong was so great that he was nodding in agreement after seeing her in person.

“I believe you have heard the circumstances from your father.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa lowered her head.

“Yes. I will dedicate myself to the Black Dragon Unit with my insufficient abilities.”

The corners of Yang Cheon’s lips curled up. He felt a playful urge.

“Have you also heard this? If your father acts even slightly suspicious, you will die the most miserable death in the world.”

These were the words of Yang Cheon, the Fighting King of the world. They did not sound like empty words.

“I am also aware of that.”

“Is that so?”

“Although I am lacking, I am also a talent who has received some recognition as a junior of the White Path martial world. I would know that even without being told.”

“Hoo.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa looked up at Yang Cheon again.

She was trying her best to suppress it, but Yang Cheon’s presence was not something that could be easily blocked. Yet, Moyong Yeon-hwa was looking him directly in the eye with confidence.

“I don’t know how Vice-Chief sees me, but I have come here risking my life for my family. I am not foolish enough to come to a place that might become my grave without considering the worst-case scenario.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

“I’m curious. How did your father persuade you?”

“There was no need for persuasion. It’s just that my father needed me, and I didn’t want to betray his expectations.”

“As you said, this place might become your grave. Weren’t you afraid?”

“Since I came here risking my life, I will learn a lot.”

“Oh ho?”

Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled.

A forced smile. Beads of cold sweat were even forming on her forehead.

But for some reason, Yang Cheon liked her awkward smile.

Yang Cheon nodded.

“You must have had a hard journey. Rest in your quarters until I call for you again.”

“Thank you.”

“What was your name again?”

“Yeon-hwa, Moyong Yeon-hwa.”

“I understand. You may leave.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa bowed politely and hurried away.

Yang Cheon rested his chin on his hand.

“…There are many talented people in the White Path.”

* * *

The Byeoksan Yeon family.

A prestigious family of the martial world that had appeared like a comet fifty years ago. Although their power was small, their martial prowess and chivalry were considered worthy of discussing the world.

Whether it was the White Path or the Black Path, the martial world was inherently conservative and harsh in its evaluation of others.

It was truly remarkable that they had become a top martial arts family in the martial world in less than half a century.

Naturally, the Black Path had no choice but to keep an eye on the Byeoksan Yeon family. A new rising power in the White Path meant a new enemy for the Black Path.

And Gang Ryang was the heir to a prestigious family that discussed the best of the Black Path. Naturally, he knew a lot about the Yeon family.

‘I’ve heard about it, but…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong had said that he was the commander of the Martial Alliance’s Extermination Unit and a member of the Byeoksan Yeon family. Since he had joined the Martial Alliance, he would naturally have to meet the head of the Yeon family.

However, the feeling of actually facing the head of the Yeon family, who had been the subject of so many rumors, was indescribable.

‘The Judge’s Sword, Yeon Wi. The strongest swordsman of Gangdong and the leader of the Yeon family’s ghost-like swordsmen!’

Gang Ryang swallowed.

“What are you doing?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“If someone greets you first, isn’t it common sense to return the greeting?”

Gang Ryang snapped back to his senses.

He clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I am Gang Ryang. I am…”

After hesitating for a moment, Gang Ryang closed his eyes and spoke in a calm tone.

“I am the heir to the Ghost Iron Sword Sect, the best sword sect of the Black Path, and the only survivor with the Ghost Blood. It is an honor to meet the head of the Yeon family.”

He had originally intended not to reveal his affiliation.

But he changed his mind. Hiding his affiliation in a place where he was facing such a giant was tantamount to disrespecting the other party.

Furthermore, there was also the matter of pride.

‘Although I am the heir to a destroyed sword sect, my pride has not died.’

How would he react now?

How would the head of the Byeoksan Yeon family, the symbol of chivalry, treat the heir of the Black Path’s best sword sect?

“You must have had a hard journey.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes widened.

He looked up at Yeon Wi.

The expression of the strongest swordsman of Gangdong was very calm.

“I’ve heard the story roughly.”

“…”

“I can’t dare say I understand the feeling of losing your parents and siblings. However, since we have come to be connected through my son, I hope you will stay comfortably in our residence, even though it is not my home.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered.

Yeon Wi smiled.

“By the way, the sect leader taught his son well. I’ve rarely seen a junior with such a solid foundation. Even my eldest son isn’t as good as you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grumbled.

“That’s a bit insulting to my pride.”

“Be quiet. How can you have a solid foundation when you’ve been living in a drunken stupor?”

“Please think of it as a pilgrimage to forget the sword.”

“You’re good with words.”

Yeon Wi looked at the cracked tree.

“You seem to have many distractions. In such cases, training is good, but resting well can also be the answer.”

“…Yes? Ah! Yes.”

“Stop tormenting the innocent tree and let’s go to our residence. You don’t look like you’ve eaten, so let’s fill our bellies first.”

“Ah! I, I’m fine. I’ll train a little more…”

“This is advice from a senior in the sword path, not just an elder. Your internal energy seems to prioritize explosive output over a stable flow. If you swing your sword in such an unstable state, you’ll only ruin your senses.”

“…!”

Yeon Wi said to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“I’ll go ahead and tell the cook. Come along.”

“Understood.”

Yeon Wi turned and headed towards the Pagun Pavilion.

Gang Ryang stared blankly at Yeon Wi’s back. His back, as he walked away with his hands behind his back, was like that of a scholar who had mastered the ways of the world.

“What are you doing?”

Startled, Gang Ryang looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong pointed at the sword with a disgruntled face.

“Put the sword in its sheath, you idiot. Let’s clean up here and go.”

“…What happened?”

He still seemed unable to shake off his surprise. Gang Ryang spoke with a bewildered expression.

“How can he be so calm?”

“Father?”

“Yes.”

“This is ridiculous. Then why were you so nervous? You’d be crushed in a second with your skills.”

“No, that’s not it…”

Gang Ryang shook his head.

“I am the heir to the Ghost Iron Sword Sect.”

“So what?”

“The Ghost Iron Sword Sect was the one that discussed the best of the Black Path.”

“Ah, so what!”

“Isn’t the Ghost Iron Sword Sect a clear enemy to the Byeoksan Yeon family? Although it was destroyed, isn’t Yeon Gong-ja’s father’s attitude too…!”

“Calm?”

“Yes!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“Shouldn’t he be calm?”

“…?!”

“I’ll tell you in advance since we’ll be living together, my father is quite frustrating.”

“…Huh?”

“To put it simply, he’s a stickler for formalities. If you don’t follow etiquette, he’ll glare at you with his eyes wide open, and even if his son who went out into the martial world is too busy to send a letter, he’ll scold him.”

“Cough!”

“But there’s one reason why I like my father.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“My father doesn’t lie.”

“…!”

“When he treats people, he’s always sincere. Do you know what that means? It means he doesn’t get swayed by rumors and sees and understands the essence of a person.”

Gang Ryang felt his fist clench without realizing it.

Not being swayed by rumors. It was easy to say, but not something anyone could do.

“My father trusts me. And I brought you into the Martial Alliance. Whether you’re from the Black Path or not, that’s enough reason to respect you.”

“…”

“So stop talking nonsense and clean up, you bastard. You couldn’t even wait and destroyed it, damn it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grumbled as he threw the torn weeds and broken pieces of wood into the forest.

Gang Ryang followed Yeon Wi’s back with wavering eyes. Yeon Wi was already far away.

‘…Not swayed by rumors, but seeing the essence.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong shouted.

“What are you doing, you idiot! Aren’t you going to clean up quickly?!”

“Huk! Ah, I understand.”

Gang Ryang moved as if his butt was on fire.