Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 289

One month later.

“Hoo.”

A deep breath escaped, mixing with a visible puff of air.

“It’s definitely different.”

Tang Gwan frowned.

“The New Year… I didn’t feel anything special, but now that the year has changed, it feels colder.”

He was an absolute master, his entire body’s energy flowing freely, having long since reached the point where he was impervious to heat and cold. However, the higher the quality and quantity of his internal energy, the more sensitive his senses became.

In truth, if one were to only consider his senses, there was no difference in the cold between a month ago and now. Yet, Tang Gwan felt it. It felt inexplicably colder.

Perhaps it wasn’t the weather, but his own heart.

‘My heart.’

Tang Gwan, who had been looking up at the sky where snowflakes were falling one by one, chuckled.

“How absurd.”

It was truly amusing. Who would have ever imagined that the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan would be so caught up in such trivial emotions?

Tang Gwan shook his head.

‘I really need to think about this.’

Once he returned to the Tang Clan, Moyong Gun’s attack would begin at any moment.

Of course, it wasn’t that he was afraid to return. It was just that he knew Moyong Gun was no ordinary schemer, so he was simply annoyed and hadn’t returned.

But now, it seemed like the time had come.

‘What difference would it make if I stayed in the Murim Alliance? I’ve joined, I’ve got a position, and even though it was a bit of a mess, I’ve made my presence known. I’ve achieved enough.’

He hadn’t even thought that far initially. The Murim Alliance or whatever, the Tang Clan was the ruler of Sichuan. He didn’t care about the affairs of other regions in the Central Plains [the heartland of China].

Yet, he had come to the Murim Alliance because he had a desire to change.

‘This is why you shouldn’t do things you’re not used to.’

Tang Gwan brushed off his shoulders.

The accumulated snow slowly disappeared, and Tang Gwan’s eyes were returning to their original cold and ruthless state.

‘I am the emperor of Sichuan. No one in the world can escape the fear and influence of the main family. In other words, the main family is a force worthy of discussing the best in the world. That’s enough.’

Just confirming that was enough. He decided to think that way.

‘Well, I do want to see who becomes the Alliance Leader.’

Whoosh.

The snowflakes that fell silently melted in the breath he exhaled.

“I should start packing my things.”

Tang Gwan turned his back, his hands behind him.

It was then.

‘…….’

Tang Gwan’s steps halted.

The cold, ruthless gaze of the Tang Clan Head flickered slightly.

Swoosh. Swoosh.

There was a single presence approaching, stepping on the accumulated snow.

The footsteps were very light and brisk. Yet, the calmness was noticeable, suggesting that the person making the sound was not easily swayed.

Swoosh.

The person who had been walking also stopped.

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

The silence between the two was so heavy that the sound of snowflakes landing on the ground sounded as loud as hailstones.

How much time had passed?

“Are you leaving?”

Tang Gwan flinched involuntarily. And he didn’t even notice that the other person had noticed his reaction.

“It seems like you’re about to leave right now.”

It was a calm, very calm voice.

Tang Gwan turned around.

There stood his daughter. The unparalleled genius who was known as the Divine Maiden of the Dark Heavens and had made a name for herself as the best successor of the Tang Clan.

Tang Gwan silently stared at Tang Sang-Ah.

Tang Sang-Ah spoke again.

“Wouldn’t it be lonely if you left alone without any attendants?”

“I am the head of the Tang Clan.”

“I know.”

“……”

“If you’re going to leave, why don’t you depart after the weather gets a bit warmer? It’s all snow, so the journey will be quite arduous.”

Tang Gwan almost opened his mouth. He almost shouted that it was none of her business, and what she wanted to say.

But he couldn’t.

And he didn’t know the reason why.

Tang Sang-Ah, who had been quietly looking at Tang Gwan, suddenly looked around.

“It’s quite cold.”

“……”

“I think you’ve finished all the alcohol, do you have any tea leaves left?”

Tang Gwan’s eyes wavered.

He noticed that his daughter’s voice, which had been so calm, was trembling slightly.

What could he say in front of her, in front of his own child?

“……I have some good tea leaves.”

A smile spread across Tang Sang-Ah’s face.

“Can I have a cup?”

“……”

Tang Gwan, who had been silent, began to walk towards his residence.

“I don’t know how to brew tea. If you want to drink it, you brew it.”

After walking for a while, Tang Gwan added in a small voice.

“Two cups.”

* * *

Moyong Gun rose with a delighted expression.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Yes, Brother.”

Moyong Woo’s complexion was somewhat pale. His appearance was noticeably haggard.

However, compared to ten days ago when he joined the Alliance, he seemed much better. Well, back then, everyone except Gi Woo-Hui was exhausted to the limit.

“Do you not need any more treatment?”

“This is enough. I can handle it myself.”

“Good, that’s a relief.”

Moyong Gun supported Moyong Woo and helped him sit on a chair.

“Did you eat on your way here?”

“Yes, Brother. I’ve nourished my body with the nutritional food provided by the medical ward.”

“Good job. No matter how skilled a martial artist is, they’re still human. When you’re injured, it’s best to listen to the doctor.”

Shortly after, Moyong Gun brought tea.

“Have a cup. It will soothe your tired mind and body.”

“Thank you.”

After drinking it, he could tell that care had been put into the tea. Even if the same tea leaves were brewed in the same way, the taste and aroma would be different depending on whether care was put into it or not.

Moyong Gun sighed.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I never imagined you would suffer this much. I sent you off with peace of mind, thinking that Yeon Ho-Jeong was there, but it turns out all sorts of trash got involved.”

Honest anger flared in Moyong Gun’s eyes.

He knew who had ordered the attack on Moyong Woo and his group.

‘Insects who don’t know their place.’

Moyong Gun vowed. He would uproot the Medical Society and show the world the might of the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance]. He would also show them how dangerous it was to touch the bloodline of the Moyong Family.

“I was going to deal with the doctors in Henan…”

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

Moyong Woo said with a smile.

“As for them, it’s over now.”

Moyong Gun frowned.

“Over? What do you mean? They dared to attack the escorts dispatched by the Murim Alliance, this is an issue that cannot be overlooked.”

“Of course, that’s true, but isn’t there something more important?”

“……?”

“The Alliance Leader.”

“……!”

Moyong Gun’s face froze in shock.

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“Unless I had died, or even if I had died, you shouldn’t be concerned about them, Brother.”

“……”

“The New Year has begun. Perhaps it will snow heavily until next month. But when this snow weakens and the harsh cold begins to subside, that’s when the real war begins.”

“……War, you say.”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes sparkled like stars.

“You must reach the pinnacle.”

In that moment, Moyong Gun felt goosebumps rising on the back of his hand and spreading throughout his body.

The single word from his brother’s mouth, ‘pinnacle.’

The moment that word struck his ears, all the anger he had accumulated evaporated, and a rosy future seemed to unfold before his eyes like a fantasy.

“Leave them to the strategist. The strategist will handle it well. From now on, you must start taking the reins so that you can rise to the position of Alliance Leader.”

“Hmm.”

“Unless something unusual happens, the Alliance Leader of this term will govern the Murim Alliance for the next ten years or so. Of course, it’s called governing, but it’s not like the Alliance Leader can do whatever they want. But at least, there’s no disagreement that they are the most powerful figure in the White Path Murim [righteous martial arts world].”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes flashed.

“If you miss this opportunity, you’ll have to wait at least fifteen years. To avoid wasting that time, you must prepare now, Brother.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Yes, you’re right.”

He was already making various preparations. It was just that he was furious because his brother was badly injured.

But now that Moyong Woo had come forward like this, Moyong Gun was able to relieve some of his burden.

“Aren’t you upset?”

“What do you mean?”

“That this useless brother couldn’t even avenge his own brother.”

Moyong Woo smiled.

“My revenge is solely my responsibility. I have that much capacity, Brother.”

“Hahaha.”

“Stand tall in the world. That is the top priority.”

“Yes, that’s the priority. Thank you for understanding me.”

“You’re welcome.”

The two looked out the window.

The silently falling snow seemed to have increased in volume compared to just a while ago.

“The New Year.”

* * *

“Hoo.”

As if he were smoking a cigarette, a large puff of white vapor poured out.

“Is your energy circulation finished?”

“Yes, Father.”

Yeon Wi clicked his tongue as he watched Yeon Ho-Jeong rise from his seat.

“Even if you’re impervious to heat and cold, why would a guy who’s not even in good condition do energy circulation outside in the snow?”

He brushed the snow off Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulders.

Yeon Ho-Jeong gave a wry smile.

“How is Ji-Pyeong?”

“He’s still sleeping. Fortunately, he wasn’t as injured as you or Bia, but it seems he was quite shocked.”

“He probably is. It was a decisive sword strike, but there was a subtle hesitation. Having seen so much blood, the wounds in his heart are much greater than the wounds on his body.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Wi looked up at the sky.

“That’s how you grow.”

He said that, but when he thought about ten days ago, Yeon Wi still felt a pang in his heart.

His children had returned covered in blood. Not only Yeon Ho-Jeong, but Yeon Ji-Pyeong was also extremely exhausted when he returned to the Alliance.

Seeing his children who had returned after fighting through all sorts of battles in situations he didn’t know about, Yeon Wi fell into an indescribable sense of self-reproach.

In fact, as a martial artist of the Jianghu [the martial world], killing enemies and seeing blood was inevitable.

But children were different. Even if he understood it in his head, his heart wished that they wouldn’t live such a life.

Of course, his two sons had already grown into excellent martial artists.

Yeon Wi, who had been quietly looking up at the sky, patted Yeon Ho-Jeong’s back.

“You’re definitely tough. Bia is still receiving treatment.”

“Isn’t she just weak?”

“You rascal.”

“Hehe.”

Yeon Wi, who was looking at his son with a chuckle, asked a little cautiously.

“Are you really sure you don’t need to see a doctor?”

“Of course. I’ll probably be completely healed in about five days.”

“Hmm, if you say so, then it must be so.”

“And shouldn’t we start preparing soon?”

“Preparing?”

“Yes. The New Year has passed, hasn’t it?”

Yeon Wi’s face hardened.

“……The Alliance Leader.”

“That’s right. And we need to pay attention to more than just the Alliance Leader election.”

“Are you talking about the Three Sects?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down, clearing the snow from the platform.

A strong light emanated from his eyes.

“Now, everyone who needs to gather has gathered.”

Gi Woo-Hui, the illegitimate child of the Divine Cult Leader, had entered the Alliance.

He had learned that an organization called the Medical Society existed in the world, and that they had deep-rooted ties with the government.

He had grasped the power of the Black Dragon Unit, learned that the Three Sects were already working behind the scenes to swallow the Central Plains, and that the system of the Murim Alliance had now been completely established.

And this year, an election would be held to choose the first Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance.

Furthermore, Yeon Ho-Jeong could instinctively sense that all those connections and events were converging into one.

“This year is going to be quite a difficult one.”