Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 265

“Would you like some of this?”

“Yes, Military Chief.”

“…We’re in private now.”

“Understood.”

Moyong Gun filled Dang Sang-ah’s cup.

Dang Sang-ah emptied her cup immediately. From the start, she didn’t seem to have any intention of pouring a drink for him.

Moyong Gun awkwardly filled his own cup.

Dang Sang-ah just sat there, watching him. After he finished his drink, she should have poured him one, but she remained silent.

It was definitely an awkward moment. But Moyong Gun didn’t look away or drink to avoid the discomfort.

“Would you like another cup?”

“Sure.”

Dang Sang-ah, after receiving the cup, didn’t drink first this time.

And so, the two sat facing each other.

Moyong Gun began to speak.

“So, what brings you to ask me for a drink?”

“There’s something I want to ask you directly.”

“Ask away.”

“You know, right? That the two family heads tried to pair us up.”

She brought up something they both knew but had never openly discussed.

It was a bold, if not audacious, move. But considering their ages, it wasn’t that strange.

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Of course, I know.”

His reaction was more composed than she expected.

Dang Sang-ah smiled and said,

“I like how straightforward you are. Honestly, I thought you’d be a little flustered.”

“I was plenty flustered. I’m just trying not to show it.”

“You can show it. It’s not like it’s something to be ashamed of.”

“Of course, it’s not. But I don’t easily show my true feelings to someone I haven’t accepted into my heart.”

That was sharp.

When he said that with a nonchalant face, Dang Sang-ah actually felt more at ease.

“You’re right. Amazing. You’re much more solid than I thought.”

Moyong Gun gave a wry smile.

“We haven’t had time to build a friendship, but I am the military chief of the Tangma Army. If you spend that much time with soldiers, even a fool is bound to learn something.”

Dang Sang-ah smiled.

Her smile was very charming. After what happened with her father, Tang Gwan, she seemed to have grown in her own way, even in a short time.

Her confident smile didn’t have a clear direction yet, but it had the potential to shine even brighter in the future.

“So, did you come here to talk about that?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“I thought it was a conversation we would have to have eventually.”

“That’s right. That’s why I came.”

“So, what is it you want to ask?”

“What do you think of me?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“I think you’re a skilled soldier.”

That meant he didn’t see her as a woman yet. And it also meant that if they didn’t become romantically involved, this state would remain.

Dang Sang-ah nodded.

“I also think of Military Chief Moyong as a superior with outstanding skills.”

“Thank you for the generous assessment.”

“I’m curious about what you think about our marriage.”

Moyong Gun rested his chin on his hand and pondered.

His seriousness was evident. It wasn’t a facade he was putting on to show off.

Dang Sang-ah could tell just by looking at him. Moyong Gun’s character.

‘At least he’s not the type to lie in a place like this.’

That was a low assessment. Just from her gut feeling, she could tell he was a sincere and upright man.

After a moment, Moyong Gun opened his mouth.

“I don’t know if you think the same, Miss Dang, but I’m against a marriage without affection.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Some might laugh at me for saying such a thing. But we only live once, right? We’ll be spending the rest of our lives with our life partner, so I can’t be with someone I don’t have affection for.”

“…”

“Even if we live for each other, I think I’d regret not doing more every day. I don’t want to give all that love and passion to someone I don’t have feelings for.”

“…”

“Though, I probably couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

It was a statement that clearly revealed Moyong Gun’s values.

He was always sincere with others. He drew a line in relationships that weren’t sincere, and he was the type to give his all in relationships that were sincere.

He had an innocent nature that was hard to believe for the leader of an organization. Dang Sang-ah was inwardly surprised by Moyong Gun’s much more serious words and actions than she had expected.

Moyong Gun smiled and said,

“Does that answer your question?”

“Completely.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

Dang Sang-ah tilted her head.

“Aren’t you going to ask me about myself?”

“I was just about to ask. What do you think about this marriage, Miss Dang?”

“I would have been a little sad if you hadn’t asked.”

“There’s no way. I’m a man too. I can’t help but be curious about my partner.”

He was truly honest.

Even so, it was hard to find someone who spoke so sincerely in front of a woman. Dang Sang-ah liked that aspect of Moyong Gun’s character.

“If I could marry a man I have feelings for, there would be nothing better.”

“Of course.”

“But I think it’s also ridiculous to just passively wait for my destined partner to appear.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes widened.

“Then?”

“I’m the only one who can take responsibility for my life. So, I should actively seek it out.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m going to find him myself. The person who will be my spouse. And if I like him, I won’t hesitate to reach out.”

Dang Sang-ah gave a wry smile.

“I only realized recently that patience isn’t everything.”

“…”

“I’ve lived my whole life holding back and suppressing myself. I don’t want to do that anymore. I’m the only one who can be the protagonist of my life. So, I should make the stage as splendid as possible.”

She was a determined woman.

Moyong Gun was surprised and impressed by Dang Sang-ah’s change.

When he first saw Dang Sang-ah, she wasn’t like this. She was rather timid, and she was always worried about causing trouble for others.

That version of her was gone now. She still seemed a little insecure, but here was a woman who had established her own firm principles.

“So, you see.”

Dang Sang-ah grinned like a mischievous child.

“I’m going to start by getting to know you, Military Chief.”

Moyong Gun blinked.

“M-me?”

“Yes.”

“…Why did you think that?”

“Of course, I’m not crazy because I can’t find a spouse. But people say that Tangma Military Chief Moyong Gun is worthy of being called the greatest talent in the world.”

“That’s an absurd overstatement.”

“I don’t know if it’s an overstatement, but I know you’re a good person at least.”

“Ahem.”

“So, I’m going to check you out. To see if you’re a good person. And if I happen to develop feelings for you, Military Chief, I might not hold back.”

Moyong Gun’s face flushed red in an instant.

Her audacity was frightening. Even though martial artists were much more open-minded than ordinary people, it was still hard to find someone like her.

A type of woman rarely seen in the Central Plains. Dang Sang-ah’s appearance was very refreshing to Moyong Gun.

Dang Sang-ah burst into laughter.

“It seems like you’re really flustered this time?”

“I’m very flustered.”

“I just wanted to tell you my honest feelings. I apologize if I was rude.”

“Not at all. Rather, I want to learn from your honesty, Miss Dang.”

“You’re honest too, Military Chief Moyong.”

The tense conversation turned quite amicable.

“By the way, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

Dang Sang-ah stroked her chin.

“What’s your relationship with Military Chief Yeon?”

Moyong Gun blinked.

“Why do you ask that?”

“I don’t know much about politics… but I think the Yeon family and the Moyong family are in a pretty sharp conflict. But the two of you seemed to get along quite well when I saw you last time.”

“Did it seem that way?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly looking at Dang Sang-ah, said in a calmer voice.

“We’re not anything yet. We’re just trying to get closer.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Yes.”

“…I see.”

Dang Sang-ah held out her cup.

“Give me another drink. Ah, should I pour for you first this time?”

“I’d be grateful.”

As he received the drink poured by Dang Sang-ah, Moyong Gun thought.

‘I need to be more careful.’

He realized he had definitely let his guard down.

Of course, Dang Sang-ah’s insight might be particularly sharp, but there were many people in the Martial Alliance with better insight and quicker minds than her.

‘Did I think I had no one to rely on? Is that why I wanted to protect my relationship with Yeon Je so much?’

He couldn’t know for sure.

The important thing was that if he continued to treat Yeon Ho-Jeong like this, something could happen at any time.

Perhaps Yeon Ho-Jeong knew. That Dang Sang-ah wasn’t the type to say nonsense to others. That’s why he was still leaving her alone.

However, he shouldn’t cross the line any further.

‘Being careful isn’t enough. I need to be the one in control. I shouldn’t rely on anyone, I need to live with the thought that I’m in charge.’

Moyong Gun stared at Dang Sang-ah.

Her words came back to him.

‘I’m the only one who can be the protagonist of my life…’

He learned a lot from his conversation with her.

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly looking at Dang Sang-ah, lowered his head.

“Thank you.”

“Huh? W-what suddenly?”

“I’ve realized something important thanks to you, Miss Dang. I can’t tell you what it is, but I would have made a mistake in the future if it weren’t for you.”

Dang Sang-ah cleared her throat.

“I’m a little embarrassed when you say it so grandly.”

Moyong Gun raised his glass.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“Okay. Hmm, but I’m curious. What did you realize?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Someone said that men with many secrets aren’t attractive.”

“It doesn’t matter if I’m not attractive, it doesn’t affect my life.”

Moyong Gun, who had emptied his glass, looked out the window.

‘Yeon Je. Really, my incompetent brother has caused you so much trouble.’

He missed Yeon Ho-Jeong today.

* * *

“Hoo, this winter is really something else. It’s still more than two months away, but we might have an accident if this keeps up.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had brushed the snow off his head and shoulders, knocked on the door.

“It’s me. May I come in?”

“…Come in.”

What was that?

Jeagal Mun-Ho was inwardly puzzled. Yeon Wi’s voice sounded quite subdued.

‘Did something happen?’

Creak.

Jeagal Mun-Ho opened the door and entered.

He bowed his head.

“I’m sorry for being later than expected. I had a lot of things to take care of.”

“It’s alright.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong and Muk Bi stood up and clasped their hands in greeting.

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for. Please, sit down.”

“Yes.”

And so, everyone sat down.

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked at the three people’s faces.

‘……Hmm.’

His puzzlement was growing at an alarming rate.

‘Did something really happen?’

The atmosphere was quite gloomy.

Muk Bi’s face was full of doubt, and Yeon Wi’s face was so stiff that anyone could tell. On the other hand, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was expressionless. Unlike his calm expression, his eyes were somewhat bloodshot.

Jeagal Mun-Ho cleared his throat.

“Ahem! Anyway, we’re all busy, so I’d like to get straight to the point.”

“Agreed.”

“Alright, now tell us. About the secret you’ve been hiding.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said in a stiff voice.

“Are you familiar with a group called the ‘Fanatical Three Teachings’?”