Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 26

Ga Deuk-Sang grinned, his teeth flashing white against his grimy face.

His hair was a mess, his face was smeared with dirt, and his clothes were nothing more than rags, yet his smile was bright.

“Dragon Head Chief, you say? Just the thought of it is amusing. Sadly, my master’s life is tougher than whale sinew. It seems it’ll be a few years before that happens.”

“…….”

“Anyway, you know this beggar, but the beggar doesn’t know you, young master? Let’s see, after using all the senses I’ve developed from begging for food for over twenty years, I’d guess…”

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

“Huh?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong rarely gave a formal bow.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon family of Gangso. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes widened.

It was a polite and formal greeting. At the very least, he didn’t seem to be looking down on him.

“Oh… yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you too.”

He was subtly surprised.

The Beggars’ Union was a faction that stood shoulder to shoulder with the Nine Great Sects and the Seven Great Families [the most influential martial arts clans]. However, it was also the faction that the scions of prestigious families avoided the most.

The reason was simple. All members of the Beggars’ Union were, well, beggars.

Experienced martial artists knew the greatness of the Beggars’ Union, but young men and women were different. They were just too busy avoiding them because they were dirty beggars.

In that sense, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s greeting was certainly unique.

‘To see him in a place like this.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes, as he looked at Ga Deuk-Sang, held genuine goodwill.

It was only natural. Even though he had built up power that was no less than the orthodox martial world, the underworld was still looked down upon. But Ga Deuk-Sang had treated the underworld as true comrades.

In those bleak years, Ga Deuk-Sang was one of the few people Yeon Ho-Jeong held genuine goodwill towards.

“Goodness, it’s been so long since I’ve received a greeting like this.”

Ga Deuk-Sang scratched his head. Judging by his appearance, it seemed like a bucket of dandruff would fall out, but surprisingly, there was none.

“Then, you must be the second young master of the Yeon family?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong bowed with precision.

“I apologize for the late greeting. I am Yeon Ji-Pyeong, the second young master of the Byeoksan Yeon family of Gangso. It is an honor to meet the successor of the Beggars’ Union.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s greeting was also polite and formal. It was their first meeting, so there was no question of goodwill, but at least he showed no sign of looking down on him.

Ga Deuk-Sang was awkwardly hesitant. It was a welcome greeting, but he didn’t know what kind of face to make.

But he knew one thing.

‘Huh! It’s so different from the rumors?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and asked,

“Have you finished your meal?”

“Meal? Ah, I just finished. I ate until my stomach was about to burst. I can’t even remember the last time I had such delicious food.”

“That’s a shame. If you don’t mind, let’s have lunch together.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was surprised and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong. He had never seen his brother ask someone to eat with him first.

Ga Deuk-Sang nodded with a reluctant expression.

“Y-yes, let’s do that.”

“Then, please rest comfortably.”

“Ah, you too.”

With that, the Yeon brothers entered the dining hall.

Ga Deuk-Sang, watching the brothers’ backs, smacked his lips.

“I was going to investigate the Choseong House incident one by one, but I got ambushed.”

Could it be that Yeon Ho-Jeong knew his intentions and made the first move?

‘No, that’s not it.’

To become the successor of the Beggars’ Union, the ability to read people was essential. In Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s goodwill was nothing but pure.

‘That’s what makes it even stranger.’

He was scratching his head in discomfort when it happened.

“Are you the successor?”

Ga Deuk-Sang turned his head.

There stood a handsome young man with a blue sword. He was a peerless beauty dressed in elegant silk clothes.

Ga Deuk-Sang grinned.

“A scion of the Namgoong family?”

Namgoong Hyeon bowed.

“I am Namgoong Hyeon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Ah, it’s a pleasure to meet you too.”

“But what brings you here?”

“I was in the neighborhood on business, and I heard that there’s a gathering of the younger generation? The smell coming from outside the gate was amazing. I came in without any regard for my dignity.”

Namgoong Hyeon frowned slightly.

It was a gathering of the younger generation of the Seven Great Families, so if someone had given permission, there was no need to argue further. However, wasn’t it the Namgoong family that hosted this gathering? They should have given prior notice.

Besides, a beggar in a place where the children of prestigious families gathered? No matter how much of a successor of the Beggars’ Union he was, he couldn’t feel good about it.

“I hope you enjoy yourself.”

After a formal greeting, Namgoong Hyeon also headed to the dining hall.

Ga Deuk-Sang chuckled.

“This is normal, I guess.”

There was no point in feeling good or bad. He was already over thirty, and he had plenty of experience in the martial world.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong bothered him. The look in his eyes was too clear.

“Did I perhaps meet him before?”

* * *

“No.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I’ve been cooped up at home, when would I have seen the little master of the Beggars’ Union?”

“I guess so.”

“Why?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen my brother ask someone to eat with him first.”

Is that so?

Thinking about it, it seemed like that was the case. Even during his time as the Dark Emperor, he enjoyed eating alone, except for gatherings to consolidate power or those with political intentions.

‘He’s still the same.’

Ga Deuk-Sang’s smile was still clear. It was hard to believe that someone who had been the information chief of the orthodox martial world could be so innocent.

‘Hmm?’

A thought suddenly occurred to Yeon Ho-Jeong, and he tilted his head.

‘But that person, he didn’t come to the gathering in the past?’

During his life as the Dark Emperor, that is, before he returned to the past, he had never seen Ga Deuk-Sang at the gatherings of the younger generation.

That was certain. He had only seen Ga Deuk-Sang after becoming the Dark Emperor Lord.

‘Why now?’

What is it? Is my memory wrong? That can’t be.

‘If my memory is correct, then the past has changed?’

Thinking that far, his thoughts reached the Jeagal siblings.

‘In the past, I didn’t stop by Choseong House. But this time, I did. If we hadn’t been there, the Jeagal siblings would have been attacked by that madman who had mastered the Yin Fire Crimson Flow [a powerful and dangerous martial art].’

That was certain. That guy, the head of the Thunder Fire Clan or whatever, would have set the fire the same way as before, and the Jeagal siblings, given their personalities, would not have run away and would have fought back.

Then what happened to the Jeagal siblings in the previous life?

His thoughts went on and on.

‘The Jeagal family existed back then too. Their family had declined greatly, but fortunately, they were able to maintain their lineage with the support of other families.’

And that family was……

“May I be excused for a moment?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his head.

There stood a middle-aged swordsman with a neatly trimmed beard. His attire was perfectly tailored, and the blue longsword on his back exuded a chilling aura.

‘Namgoong!’

The middle-aged swordsman frowned.

“Is there something on my face?”

“I was just looking because you’re handsome.”

The swordsman’s eyebrows twitched. It sounded like he was being mocked.

“But who are you?”

“Hmm! I am Chu Seong.”

“……?”

“I am the head of the escort team who accompanied Young Master Namgoong to this gathering.”

Someone who was eating nearby gasped.

“Thunder Blade Chu Seong?!”

The murmuring grew louder.

He seemed to be a very famous expert. Yeon Ji-Pyeong also looked up at Chu Seong with surprised eyes.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t know who Chu Seong was. It was a name he had never heard, neither when he came into the world and pacified the underworld, nor when he reigned as the Dark Emperor Lord.

“So?”

Chu Seong’s face visibly contorted.

Even though he was affiliated with the Namgoong family, he was an adult over forty years old. As an escort warrior, he was polite, but he couldn’t help but be angry at the arrogant attitude of a much younger member of the younger generation.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong realized his mistake and stood up.

“Please, sit down first.”

Chu Seong, who had been staring down at Yeon Ho-Jeong, sat down opposite him. He didn’t even glance at Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

Chu Seong opened his mouth.

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

“Go ahead.”

“The banquet will begin at noon today.”

“I know.”

“Leave this place before the banquet.”

In an instant, Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes widened.

“W-what do you mean?”

“Didn’t you hear me? Then I’ll say it again. I said to leave the manor before the banquet begins at noon today.”

Unlike the flustered Yeon Ji-Pyeong, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression remained unchanged.

No, there was a change. An intriguing look had appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face. It was extremely subtle, but it was there.

“You want us to leave?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

“Historically, there have never been any mishaps at the gatherings of the younger generation of the Seven Great Families. However, you have turned this prestigious and historic gathering into a mess.”

Chu Seong’s gaze was icy cold.

“You are not qualified to participate in this gathering. I believe you know that well.”

Listening to Chu Seong’s words, Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at the window at the end of the dining hall.

There was Namgoong Hyeon. He was sitting at a table in the sun, drinking tea, and his appearance was truly elegant.

At that moment, a loud crash was heard.

“That’s absurd!”

The person who stood up and shouted, so loudly that his chair fell over, was Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

“Yesterday’s incident has already been settled! My brother said he would apologize to everyone at today’s banquet! But now you’re asking us to leave?”

“It’s a matter of dignity, not just an apology. Besides, the fact that you’re showing your face so nonchalantly in the dining hall from the morning, I doubt you’re truly reflecting on your actions.”

“Don’t be unreasonable! What does coming to the dining hall have to do with reflection? Also, dignity is…”

“I’ve said all I have to say. I hope we don’t have to argue about this any further, so please leave before the banquet.”

With those words, Chu Seong got up from his seat.

However, Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s words were not over.

“Decisively!”

A booming voice echoed throughout the dining hall.

It was a voice so loud that it was hard to believe it came from Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who was always smiling. It was enough to startle everyone in the place.

“You are an escort warrior of a family. Your job is to protect Young Master Namgoong, not to discuss the qualifications of the participants.”

Chu Seong smiled coldly.

“Is that so?”

“What do you mean?”

“The host family of the Seven Great Families’ gathering changes every five years. And this year’s host family is the Namgoong family.”

“……!”

“I have been granted the authority to oversee all aspects of this gathering along with Young Master Namgoong. Directly from the family head.”

“……”

“Yesterday, Young Master Yeon settled the matter, so I didn’t interfere, but today is different. Young Master Yeon was too soft and ended up just settling the matter, but I have no intention of letting any elements that could ruin the gathering go unchecked.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was flustered. He had received direct orders from the Namgoong family head? It was hard to believe no matter how he thought about it.

But it was understandable that Yeon Ji-Pyeong didn’t know.

The gathering of the younger generation was more of a social gathering than a formal meeting. That’s why they held banquets and provided food and drinks.

However, there was also a high risk of accidents due to youthful recklessness. The host family sent a trustworthy person to handle such unavoidable incidents.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong had never been the host of a gathering in his life. No, this was his first time even participating in a gathering. He couldn’t possibly know such details.

“The host family has the right to expel any issues or people that cause problems at the gathering. There have been countless precedents for that. What I’m doing now is nothing special.”

“Ugh!”

“I think you’ve understood enough. If you two have any sense of dignity, you should leave quietly.”

Confusion clouded Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face.

It was then.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been looking at Namgoong Hyeon far away, opened his mouth.

“Ji-Pyeong.”

“…Yes, brother.”

“Don’t get worked up, just sit down and eat.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong picked up a piece of Dongpo pork [braised pork belly] and took a big bite.

“Chomp chomp, did you forget what Father said? To distinguish whether the other person is a human or a beast. Even a blockhead like me can tell, you shouldn’t be like that.”

“…gulp.”

“Eat quickly. It’ll get cold.”