Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 257

The meal at Pagun Hall was less awkward than expected.

Surprisingly, it was thanks to Yeon Wi. Unlike his usual self, Yeon Wi was talkative, and Yeon Ho-Jeong responded to his father as usual, leading the atmosphere.

Muk Bi also participated in the conversation from time to time with a brighter expression. Gang Ryang, who had been awkwardly eating at first, seemed to gradually get used to the atmosphere and filled his stomach with a comfortable feeling.

Thus, the meal that lasted for half a sh辰n [approximately one hour] ended.

“It’s colder than yesterday. It seems winter has really come.”

As he lightly breathed out, white vapor poured out.

“Time always flows quickly for those who live busy lives. Furthermore, as one gets older, the speed at which a year passes also increases.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong deeply sympathized with Yeon Wi’s words.

He had mastered the Four Divine Arts and entered the martial world, throwing himself into the Black Path. Before he knew it, he had established the Black Emperor Castle, and the martial artists feared him, calling him the Dark Emperor.

It was as if time had flown by in a flash. Even after returning to the past, time had passed by in a blur.

‘So much has happened.’

And there will be much more to come.

‘If I don’t die, that is.’

Yeon Wi spoke in his usual blunt tone.

“That young man is quite decent.”

“Yes?”

“I’m talking about that kid, Gang Ryang.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“His lack of experience is a problem, but he is still a steadfast and loyal fellow.”

“He seems so.”

Yeon Wi looked up at the sky.

Yesterday, it had snowed so much, but today the sky was clear all day. The twinkling stars were very beautiful.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“That the young man was the successor of the Guicheol Sword Clan.”

“Did I do that?”

Yeon Wi spoke as if he couldn’t help it.

“I only heard that his parents and siblings had died and his clan had been destroyed. Until you introduced him, I didn’t know he was from the Black Path.”

“I must have forgotten.”

That couldn’t be. Although his son was always busy, he would never make a mistake like this.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged his shoulders.

“But, what does it matter? He’s a good guy. Not all those from the Black Path are evil human scum. You know that too, Father, don’t you?”

“Of course, I think so too. In fact, the Guicheol Sword Clan was known for their generous nature, even though their path was different from our White Path.”

“I know.”

“Did you want to test this father?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong waved his hand.

“Please don’t say that. There are others to test, how could I test my father?”

“Then how about we soften it to say you wanted to see my reaction?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Yeon Wi.

Yeon Wi chuckled.

“You’ve never shown yourself well since you were young. But even if a child deceives their parents, what parent wouldn’t know their child’s true feelings?”

“Is that so?”

“I may have raised you too strictly, but I never took my eyes off you.”

“…….”

“Of course, I was greatly taken aback by your sudden change.”

The sudden change must have meant the moment he returned.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“Hearing that, it seems I’m an easy person to read.”

“Everyone you’ve shown your sincerity to will think so.”

It was an accurate assessment.

If Yeon Ho-Jeong set his mind to deceive someone, he could deceive anyone. Even the King of Fighters, Yang Cheon, had been completely fooled by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s flawless acting.

However, that was only when necessary, and Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t usually try to deceive others.

He would rather smash them openly.

“Father.”

“Yes.”

“As you said before, I’m a quick-tempered and twisted person.”

“I don’t think I ever said you were twisted.”

“Well, it’s the same thing.”

“Haha.”

“But even with my bad temper, I know this one thing.”

“What is it?”

“You can divide enemies and allies by factions and sects, but even within the same group, people’s natures vary greatly.”

Satisfaction appeared on Yeon Wi’s face.

“That’s admirable. This father wasted nearly thirty years realizing that. You are several years faster than me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong wanted to say no.

If he hadn’t mastered the Four Divine Arts, if he hadn’t thrown himself into the Black Path.

If he hadn’t established the Black Emperor Castle and fought a battle against the White Path martial world, he would have been stuck in his fixed ideas forever.

‘That’s why you are so great, Father.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong forcibly swallowed the words that rose to his throat.

“Not everyone from the Black Path is bad. Conversely, not everyone from the White Path is full of righteousness.”

“Of course.”

“It’s just that, as I live in the world, I don’t know what kind of oddballs I’ll become friends with. They could be from the Black Path, the children of third-rate martial artists, fortune tellers, or beggars.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked directly at Yeon Wi with slightly trembling eyes.

“Even so, can you treat my friends like you treat Gang Ryang?”

Yeon Wi, who had been looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, tilted his head for a moment.

“This father has not had a proper friendship with that child, Gang Ryang.”

“…….”

“However, I will treat Gang Ryang like I treat Bi Ah. From what I’ve seen so far, he seems like a person worth befriending, but you never know in this world.”

“…….”

“Since I trust my son, I will treat my son’s friends like my own children. However, in order for trust to blossom in a relationship, a certain amount of time and conversation is necessary.”

“I understand.”

“Yes, that’s all you need to know.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled again.

“That’s enough.”

Since they are his son’s friends, he would treat them like his own son.

However, Yeon Wi was also a human. Apart from being his son’s friend, his relationship with him was also important.

In other words, he would accept any friend he brought, but he also needed time with his father, so he just wanted him to understand that part.

In the end, it was a way of saying not to worry. Yeon Ho-Jeong felt his heart become much more reassured by his father’s words.

Yeon Wi got up from the floor.

“I need to watch him more, but I understand why you like that child. Of course, we will have to put in some effort to develop together.”

“That’s right.”

“This father will help with the minor details. Of course, if that child is willing to receive guidance.”

“It’s the guidance of the First Master of Gangdong, Judge Daehyeop [a title of respect for a highly skilled martial artist]. Who in the world would refuse that?”

“You speak well, you rascal.”

Yeon Wi adjusted his collar.

“Your inner energy is so fluid that you won’t feel much cold, but don’t stay out in the cold wind for too long.”

“I understand.”

“I’ll be going now.”

Yeon Wi headed towards the gate of Pagun Hall. It seemed he had other business to attend to for his official duties.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching his father’s back, opened his mouth.

“Father.”

“Hmm?”

“Actually…….”

Yeon Ho-Jeong hesitated for a moment.

In fact, there were many reasons why he hadn’t talked about his past until now. Even after his bond with his father had deepened, he couldn’t easily bring it up because he thought his father wouldn’t be able to manage his expression well.

But now.

Now that his father trusted him as he was, and even recognized him as a dignified warrior.

Now that his father had said that he would treat any oddball he brought as his own son, with a sincerity that was not even a speck of a lie.

And now that he was the head of the Yeon family, who had begun to skillfully use the wisdom he had gained from the past political strife.

Then, wouldn’t it be okay to tell him now?

“It seems you have something to tell me separately.”

“…That’s right.”

Yeon Wi, who had been quietly observing his son’s face, smiled.

“I’ve known for a while. That you were hiding something from me. That secret might be the biggest secret you have.”

“Did you know?”

“As I said a little while ago, you are an easier person to read than you think.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“A secret is over once it’s spoken. You may have had your own worries, but if that secret is truly your biggest secret, I think you should be very careful, even if the person is your parent.”

“…….”

“I won’t listen today. Think about it one more time, and when you are sure that it’s okay to tell this father, tell me then.”

With those words, Yeon Wi left Pagun Hall.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been watching the gate his father had left through, sat back down on the floor.

“Tell me when you are sure it’s okay to tell me…….”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked up at the sky.

The stars that his father liked were shining particularly beautifully today.

“Actually, I don’t need that kind of certainty. I know you’ll believe me no matter what nonsense I say.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

“It’s just that I only realized that now.”

Parents knew everything about their children, but children wanted reassurance from their parents.

‘I still have a long way to go.’

He had grown up through a bloody battlefield, but that was all.

He had reigned as the emperor of the Black Path, but he was still young. At least in front of his father, he didn’t need his divine martial arts, his tactical eye that could see through weaknesses, or his amazing strategies.

Perhaps most of the things he had shown his father so far were the childish desires of a child trying to show off how much he had grown.

‘Opportunity.’

He had always wondered how he had returned, and if the heavens had sent him back to the past, why they had sent him back.

Until now, he had thought it was to prevent the Central Plains from becoming a sea of fire. He didn’t know if the heavens really wanted that, but he had to think that way to feel at ease.

But now he decided to think differently.

That his return to the past was not only to stop the Gwangsin Three Sects or the Nine Great Families.

But to build the trust he had not been able to share with his greatest value, the family he had found again.

“Ahem!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head.

Gang Ryang had come out.

“Have you finished eating?”

“Yes.”

“What about Muk Bi?”

“My sister said she would clean up herself. She told me to go out now…….”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke with a dumbfounded expression.

“Sister?”

“Yes.”

“Why is Muk Bi your sister?”

Gang Ryang tilted his head.

“She’s much older than me. Then, isn’t she naturally my sister?”

…He’s more easygoing than I thought? He wasn’t like this in the past, was he?

“So, what I’m saying is.”

“Don’t.”

“Young Master Yeon is my benefactor, and he’s also a year older than me.”

“I said don’t.”

“So, I’m just going to call him hyung [older brother].”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his arms. He had goosebumps.

Of course, Gang Ryang had called him hyung during his time as the Dark Emperor, but he didn’t think this process was right.

“I don’t know when it will be, but please take care of me until I leave.”

“Okay, just drop the hyung title.”

“No.”

He was determined to call him hyung even if the sky fell tomorrow. Once he decided to do something, he would do it no matter what.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed and got up.

“Rest here for a while.”

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“I have places to go with Muk Bi.”

“Places? Inside the Martial Alliance?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked to the west.

Gang Ryang felt his back become damp as he saw the cold look in his eyes.

“…It’s about time for a crazy mad dog to start moving.”