Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 262

Moyong Gun remained unfazed.

“What are you talking about? Gong Gongdaesa?”

Tang Gwan simply glared at him, silent.

His demeanor was completely different from usual. He was always sharp and fierce, but now he seemed ready for a life-or-death struggle.

Yong Hwa Jin-in cleared his throat.

“Family Head Tang, I don’t know what’s going on, but why don’t you sit down and talk?”

Deung Cheon-Gyo also nodded.

“That would be good. And please tone down your intensity. You might accidentally poison the food.”

Tang Gwan chuckled coldly.

“If I had intended to poison the food, you would all be dead before you even noticed.”

Deung Cheon-Gyo frowned.

“Your words are harsh.”

“I have something to say to Lord Moyong. Unrelated third parties should leave.”

“Hey, Family Head Tang!”

At that moment, Moyong Gun raised his hand.

“Calm down, everyone.”

Deung Cheon-Gyo glared at Tang Gwan silently, while Yong Hwa Jin-in seemed much more relaxed than expected.

Moyong Gun looked at Tang Gwan and said,

“I know you don’t like these kinds of gatherings, so I didn’t tell you about it separately. I hope you’re not upset about such a trivial matter, and I hope there are no misunderstandings.”

“I have no interest in such gatherings. I’ll ask again. About Gong Gongdaesa…”

“Are you asking if I’m targeting Gong Gongdaesa?”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“Didn’t I tell you before? Gong Gongdaesa is not someone you can touch carelessly. I told you that even with thorough preparation, it’s uncertain whether you can bring him down.”

“I’ll ask again.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes turned cold.

“Are you targeting Gong Gongdaesa?”

Moyong Gun’s expression also hardened slightly.

“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“I’m not asking a question, I’m demanding an answer.”

Even Moyong Gun, who knew Tang Gwan’s temperament, couldn’t just ignore the situation.

It would be one thing if it were a conversation between the two of them, but there were two other pairs of eyes watching. Moreover, Yong Hwa Jin-in and Deung Cheon-Gyo were much more calculating and ruthless than he had thought.

He couldn’t show weakness. Moyong Gun’s voice lowered a tone.

“I believe I have been treating you with sufficient respect. In some ways, even more than these two gentlemen here. It’s not because I’m afraid of you, but because I know your personality.”

“So, what’s the answer?”

“But if you keep acting like this, it’s going to be difficult. Please understand that there’s a limit to my patience.”

Tang Gwan chuckled coldly.

“Judging by how you keep dodging the question, it seems you really are targeting Gong Gongdaesa.”

“Hey, Family Head Tang.”

“Let me be frank. I don’t care what you do. You and I haven’t interfered in each other’s affairs. But if you’re trying to use me as a pawn instead of an ally, that’s a different story.”

Moyong Gun frowned at that moment.

‘A pawn?’

Yong Hwa Jin-in and Deung Cheon-Gyo looked at Moyong Gun with puzzled eyes.

“What do you mean? A pawn?”

Moyong Gun, who had been staring at Tang Gwan, asked as if throwing a stone.

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Tang Gwan took out a handkerchief from his pocket and threw it on the ground.

“What is this?”

“Can’t you see? It’s a handkerchief.”

“What on earth…”

“That handkerchief is laced with the Tang Family’s secret Cheongeum Poison [a potent, fast-acting poison].”

Instantly, Yong Hwa Jin-in and Deung Cheon-Gyo instinctively drew upon their inner energy [internal energy or qi, a concept in martial arts].

But Moyong Gun did not. He simply looked at Tang Gwan with clear eyes.

Tang Gwan’s face twisted.

“As expected, your reaction is different. Unlike these two, you didn’t draw upon your inner energy.”

“Family Head Tang.”

“You knew the characteristics of Cheongeum Poison. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so nonchalant.”

That wasn’t the reason.

Moyong Gun knew Tang Gwan’s personality. He seemed reckless and rough at first glance, but he was someone who knew how to bide his time.

He wasn’t the type to spread poison in a place like this. That was the reason why Moyong Gun didn’t draw upon his inner energy.

But to Tang Gwan, Moyong Gun’s behavior was the trigger that turned his rising suspicion into certainty.

“The reason I trusted you was because I thought you weren’t someone who only knew how to scheme. I thought you were overly thoughtful, but not because you were timid, but because you were suspicious and intelligent.”

Tang Gwan smiled bitterly.

That chilling smile made Yong Hwa Jin-in, Deung Cheon-Gyo, and even Moyong Gun feel a chill down their spines.

“But it seems I misjudged you. You’re someone who even sees allies as pieces on a chessboard… I can’t work with someone like that. Isn’t that right?”

Moyong Gun was about to open his mouth but stopped.

‘…’

He glanced at Yong Hwa Jin-in and Deung Cheon-Gyo’s expressions.

They were trying hard to maintain a nonchalant expression, but what was reflected on their faces was doubt and unease.

It was inevitable. The two of them didn’t know what this conversation meant, or why this commotion had broken out.

However, they could tell that the conflict between the two was extremely deep. And that the starting point of that conflict originated from Moyong Gun.

‘This isn’t good.’

The situation was terrible.

It would have been one thing if he had come alone, but it was awkward to try to explain anything in a place where members of the same faction were present.

‘And Gong Gongdaesa, of all people.’

Moyong Gun’s eyes wavered.

‘How did this guy find out about that?’

He had only just begun the groundwork to worsen public opinion of Gong Gongdaesa.

The reason he hadn’t told Tang Gwan was because his reaction was too honest. He could avoid Gong Gongdaesa’s scrutiny, but Tang Gwan would be caught no matter what.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Tang Gwan, but it was a judgment he made because he knew his capabilities accurately.

But how did Tang Gwan find out about it, and what was this handkerchief, and what was this Cheongeum Poison?

“Family Head Tang.”

“…”

“I won’t make it long.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes turned cold.

“Who did you hear about Gong Gongdaesa from?”

Tang Gwan’s cheek twitched.

“So, you’re finally admitting it.”

“I’m asking who you heard it from.”

“Why do you think I should tell you?”

Yong Hwa Jin-in shouted.

“Family Head Tang! Watch your words! No matter how angry you are, we are all part of the same alliance… !”

“You should be careful too. The smile that man shows you is completely fabricated. The day he uses you as a stepping stone to set a trap is not far off.”

“What?!”

“Isn’t that right, Lord Moyong?”

Moyong Gun frowned.

“Watch your words.”

“Or what? Are you going to use that dirty sword of yours to scratch me?”

Tang Gwan was responding more sharply than necessary.

Moyong Gun couldn’t understand it, even amidst his rising anger.

‘He’s not usually like this?’

Even if family issues were involved, he wasn’t the type to be this aggressive.

That wasn’t a guess, it was a certainty. If even the Family Head Tang was this reckless, Moyong Gun’s side would have rejected him first.

He didn’t know what he had heard, but Tang Gwan was clearly overreacting.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Whatever the reason, Tang Gwan had already turned his back on him.

In a situation where emotions were so twisted, there was no point in considering various reasons. It was better to just protect each other’s pride and call a truce.

Moyong Gun said coldly.

“It seems there’s no need to talk any further. Please leave now.”

Tang Gwan scoffed.

“I think so too. I won’t have to face your ugly mug again.”

“Before that, I’ll ask you one thing.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

“Did you meet Yeon Ho-Jeong?”

The corners of Tang Gwan’s lips curled up.

“Why? Are you afraid that I’ll break ties with you and go to him?”

…So he met him.

‘Damn it.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong must have done something.

However, what was puzzling was how Yeon Ho-Jeong knew that he was targeting Gong Gongdaesa.

‘…No. The final blow was Yeon Ho-Jeong, but the one who set up this whole thing wasn’t him, but a third party.’

Jeagal Mun-Ho.

It was clear that Jeagal Mun-Ho, who caught rumors circulating in the Murim [martial arts world] like a ghost, had finished all the preliminary investigations. And he must have met Yeon Ho-Jeong and discussed this matter.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s actions were as outstanding as his intellect. He probably put it into action immediately after hearing about it from Jeagal Mun-Ho.

However, he didn’t expect that instead of coming to him directly to find out, he would start by targeting Tang Gwan.

Moyong Gun sighed inwardly.

‘I let my guard down.’

He had a supporter who was more reliable than anyone else.

He had turned an extreme crisis into a huge opportunity, and had managed to join hands with the strongest figure in the Black Faction. He thought he was being vigilant, but he had unknowingly let his guard down because of his powerful backing.

‘If that hadn’t happened, I would have approached Gong Gongdaesa more cautiously. I knew that Jeagal Mun-Ho was on high alert, and that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s attack was extremely unconventional.’

Moyong Gun smiled wryly.

‘It wasn’t that the opponent did well, but that I didn’t.’

It was a foolish mistake. It was unlike him.

Because of that, he had lost a good pawn. It was a painful blunder.

‘I gained Yang Cheon as a backer and lost Tang Gwan as a pawn… Still, it’s a gain if you look at it that way.’

The important thing was that he didn’t need to lose him.

At that moment, Moyong Gun’s face turned extremely cold.

“If you’re thinking of breaking the alliance, there’s nothing I can do. Just don’t regret it later.”

Tang Gwan chuckled and turned around.

There was no reply. With that, he had severed all ties with Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun, watching Tang Gwan’s back, sent a telepathic message without anyone noticing.

[I don’t know what happened, but please tell me later when your emotions have cooled down. I’ll go and hear the whole story myself.]

Tang Gwan, who was opening the door, paused for a moment.

But that was all. He slammed the door shut and left.

Yong Hwa Jin-in hurriedly asked.

“What on earth was that all about?”

“It’s nothing much.”

Moyong Gun smiled bitterly.

“It’s just… it’s become an opportunity for me to think that I should stay quiet for a while and build up my strength.”

“…?”

“Let’s cancel the plans for now.”

Moyong Gun closed his eyes.

‘…I need to regain my composure first.’

* * *

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with an admiring expression.

“I thought there was nothing more that could surprise me about you. But I was wrong. I’m truly impressed by your plan.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It’s just sowing discord. It’s not even a plan, just a petty trick.”

“Sowing discord is difficult to maximize if you don’t understand your opponent. You’re truly amazing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled silently.

Jeagal Mun-Ho tilted his head.

“But, did you know this would happen?”

“What do you mean?”

“Family Head Tang breaking ties with Moyong Gun is, in a way, the best possible outcome. In hindsight, it’s a good thing, but if Family Head Tang’s trust in Moyong Gun had been deeper, it could have made their relationship even stronger.”

“That’s right.”

“There’s no way you wouldn’t know that. So, did you expect the two of them to break up?”

“There’s no way I could have. I’m not a god.”

“Huh? Then?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Moyong Gun’s attack this time was quite clumsy. It was an uncharacteristic mistake.”

“That’s right.”

“But now that he knows that someone found out about this because of Family Head Tang, he will definitely be more cautious. He will stay quiet for a while.”

“Then isn’t that more dangerous?”

“That’s right. And because of that caution, there are things we can find out.”

“Hmm?”

It was about his relationship with Yang Cheon.

To Moyong Gun, who was staying quiet, Yang Cheon would surely send some kind of signal. If they just kept an eye on that, they could inflict a fatal blow on Moyong Gun.

“But it seems Family Head Tang had a lot of pent-up feelings as well.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked out the window.

“Perhaps, deep down, Family Head Tang was also dissatisfied with Moyong Gun. Well, with his pride, it would have been difficult for him to step back.”

“Ha!”

“Anyway, we won the first battle after my return. He’ll be as quiet as a mouse for a while, so don’t worry too much.”