Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 31

Namgoong Hyeon’s body stiffened, and the audience mirrored his reaction.

Namgoong Hyeon’s confession of his mistake had already severely damaged his reputation. It would be difficult for him to show his face in public for a while.

However, if Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t accept this apology, the situation would escalate. Now, it was a matter of pride, not just saving face.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled faintly.

His bright smile seemed almost too radiant.

“As you know, I am someone who enjoys martial arts.”

What was he talking about all of a sudden?

“Admitting your mistake is good, but the ending feels too abrupt, don’t you think?”

Myeong Ho-Rim’s eyes wavered.

“…Surely, you’re not thinking of having a duel with Namgoong, are you?”

In the chilling silence, the sound of someone swallowing could be heard.

There wasn’t a single person present who hadn’t witnessed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s skills.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were formidable. He wasn’t just a rising star; he was a skilled martial artist who could hold his own even in the wider martial world.

If his spear were to be pointed at Namgoong Hyeon, Namgoong Hyeon would be in grave danger. And what would happen then?

War. The Namgoong family would never overlook such an incident.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“The duel with Chu Seong was a battle of pride between martial artists. But since Namgoong Gongja [a respectful title for a young master] has apologized, I don’t want to make things bigger.”

“Then what?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked around.

“As you all know, the gathering of rising stars is more of a friendly get-together, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but?”

“Sharing a drink and building friendships is good, but there’s nothing better than exchanging blows to truly get to know each other.”

“… !”

“Anything grows through exchange and self-reflection. The same goes for martial arts. If we truly want to build friendships, let’s do it like martial artists.”

*Whoosh!*

Yeon Ho-Jeong casually threw his spear.

Surprisingly, the target was Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

*Thwack!*

Yeon Ji-Pyeong skillfully caught the spear.

Everyone was impressed.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was the youngest in this gathering. Yet, he had effortlessly caught the spear that had flown so quickly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong came down from the training ground.

“Peng So-hyeop [a respectful term for a young martial artist].”

“Huh? Uh? Ah? Me, are you talking to me?”

“My younger brother’s talent is the best in our family. But he’s still young. Would you teach my brother a thing or two?”

“Eeeing?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was also bewildered. But after seeing his brother’s eyes, he smiled faintly.

‘My brother is really like a sly fox.’

‘What’s good is good. Since it has come to this, learn a lot.’

Yeon Ji-Pyeong bowed respectfully to Peng Dae-Ho.

“I am Yeon Ji-Pyeong of the Byeoksan Yeon family. May I ask Peng Hyung [older brother] for some guidance?”

Peng Dae-Ho, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-Jeong and Yeon Ji-Pyeong with a dumbfounded expression, burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha! I surrender with both hands and feet! Are all the Yeon family members like this?”

“I’m the only odd one. If my father knew this, he wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“Kuhahaha! Good! My hands have been itching thanks to Yeon Hyung [older brother]!”

“Please be gentle.”

“Gentle? After seeing our Yeon Dongsaeng’s [younger brother] skills, I’ll be the one getting hurt if I’m gentle!”

Peng Dae-Ho turned around and shouted.

“Hey! Man-Ho!”

“Why are you calling me?”

“Don’t just stand there looking pathetic, go learn a few things from Yeon Hyung!”

“…You saw Yeon Hyung’s skills, didn’t you? I feel like I’ll get beaten like a dog.”

“You brat, that’s all part of learning!”

“Ahem!”

Peng Man-Ho swaggered towards Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Will you be gentle?”

“Let’s hurt enough to learn.”

“Ah, damn it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked around with a puzzled expression. People were blinking.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled and dragged Peng Man-Ho to a corner of the training ground.

That was it.

His back turning without a word greatly stimulated the rising stars’ fighting spirit.

There were no words like ‘rest if you want’ or ‘do as you please,’ but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression said it all. ‘Are you even martial artists?’

Their chests were boiling. It wasn’t anger, but a competitive spirit that was surging.

At that moment, Myeong Ho-Rim spoke.

“Come to think of it, Yeon Gongja’s words make sense.”

It was a voice that instantly seized the awkward atmosphere.

“Building friendships is good, but aren’t we martial artists? We risk our lives with a single sword. Come to think of it, opportunities like this are rare.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed menacingly as he walked away.

Whether he knew it or not, Myeong Ho-Rim continued in a cheerful tone.

“Now, who wants to experience the Myeong family’s martial arts?”

Then, Moyong Yeon-Hwa stepped forward.

“I’ve always been curious about the Myeong family’s martial arts. May I have a chance to see them?”

“It would be an honor.”

The atmosphere heated up.

With the Yeon brothers and the Peng brothers taking the lead, followed by Myeong Ho-Rim and Moyong Yeon-Hwa, the other rising stars began to take notice.

They were already excited after watching the fierce fight between Yeon Ho-Jeong and Chu Seong. It would be a shame to just stand still with this excitement.

“Ahem! Well, it’s a bit sudden, but…”

“What can we do? Everyone wants to. But my hands have been itching anyway. I’ve been resting too much these past few days.”

“Right? I’ve never rested this long when I was at home.”

“Jeagal Sojeo [young miss]! Let’s have a match!”

“Ahem, Jeagal Sojeo should be with me…”

“Moyong family’s kid. How about this older sister teaches you a thing or two?”

“I’m not a kid, you know? But are you strong, Noona [older sister]?”

The silent outer courtyard slowly came to life.

It was awkward at first, but that was only for a moment. Even those who were hesitant to step forward stopped thinking about the reasons once the stage was set and the atmosphere heated up.

Soon, the entire outer courtyard became a training ground for the rising stars.

Those who had found partners exchanged blows seriously, and those who didn’t have partners practiced their inner energy. When they felt they had learned enough, they switched partners and sparred.

Like a single spark igniting a whole mountain, shouts and the sounds of tearing air echoed throughout the entire manor.

Ga Deuk-Sang looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a strange expression.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was sparring with Peng Man-Ho in a corner of the training ground. Judging by his expression and movements, he seemed to be taking it seriously.

“He’s a truly unpredictable person.”

The rising stars, as well as the bodyguards, seemed to have forgotten what had happened earlier. They no longer cared about the fierce duel.

‘It seems like he wants something…’ Ga Deuk-Sang scratched his head.

‘Huh! He’s controlling the mood of all these people by himself?’

He had extraordinary skills. Not only was he skilled in martial arts and eloquent, but he also had the ability to lead the atmosphere to his liking.

But it wasn’t unpleasant. It wasn’t like he was forcing others to do his bidding; he was guiding them to act on their own.

“Hello.”

“Eeing?”

Ga Deuk-Sang looked to his side.

Jeagal Jun was there.

“I am Jeagal Jun of the Jeagal family.”

“Ah! I know, I know.”

“Hugaesunbae’s [a respectful term for a senior martial artist] martial arts are amazing. If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask for some guidance?”

Ga Deuk-Sang burst out laughing without realizing it.

It wasn’t for any other reason. Surprisingly, Jeagal Jun’s suggestion had made his own hands itch. In the end, he had also been swept up in the atmosphere.

Ga Deuk-Sang admitted it like a beggar.

“Alright! Let’s have some fun!”

“Thank you!”

A place where everyone was passionately competing in each other’s martial arts.

Namgoong Hyeon was not there.

* * *

*Bang!*

Namgoong Hyeon, who had returned to his residence, punched a hole in the wall.

“Hah, hah!”

His face was flushed red, and his expression was twisted horribly.

“Damn it! Damn it!”

He couldn’t control his anger. Namgoong Hyeon punched the wall wildly.

“Ugh!”

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

He was so angry that he couldn’t even properly channel his inner energy. His two fists were instantly stained with blood.

‘Such humiliation.’

In his more than twenty years of life, this was the first time he had experienced such humiliation.

He had grown up being praised for his cool-headedness and outstanding talent, and was expected to become the pillar of the Namgoong family in the future. Although he had an older brother, he never thought his talent was inferior to his brother’s.

Why else would his father have entrusted this task to him? That was how much he trusted him.

But what was this? Instead of suppressing Yeon Ho-Jeong, he had been disgraced in front of everyone.

This was no ordinary matter. He had stepped in to clean up the mess caused by Namgoong Sang-Hwa, but his own actions were also extremely petty.

Right now, everyone was caught up in the atmosphere and training, but once the training was over, someone would surely spread this news outside.

Namgoong Hyeon’s face turned even redder. Just imagining people whispering behind his back made his head feel like it would explode.

“That damned… !”

He was so angry that even Namgoong Sang-Hwa was displeasing to him.

“That reckless fool! I told him not to cause trouble, but he made things worse? You dog!”

If it weren’t for Namgoong Sang-Hwa, he wouldn’t have had to suffer this humiliation.

It wasn’t for nothing that Yeon Ho-Jeong brought up his younger brother. It was as if he was using Namgoong Sang-Hwa’s misdeeds to blackmail him.

‘That crazy bastard!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was also a madman. If he brought up that matter in front of everyone, the Yeon family would also suffer. The Namgoong family would never forget this humiliation.

However, his eyes were genuine. It was a truly ‘let’s all die together’ atmosphere.

That was why he stepped forward, and the result was the worst.

“I’ll kill him. I’ll definitely kill him!”

It was a voice filled with murderous intent.

The man who had inflicted the first humiliation of his life. Namgoong Hyeon truly wanted to kill Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘Why did Ayeon end up with a guy like that?’

Thinking about him made him think of Jeagal Ayeon.

‘…!!’

Namgoong Hyeon could clearly see it. The disappointed look in Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes towards him.

The blazing anger surged once again.

Jeagal Ayeon shouldn’t have looked at him like that. He wouldn’t have minded if she had felt sorry for him, but she shouldn’t have looked at him with those eyes.

“Damn it… !”

He didn’t like it.

He didn’t like anything. This situation, Yeon Ho-Jeong, and even Jeagal Ayeon were all displeasing to him right now.

After breathing heavily for a while, Namgoong Hyeon shouted.

“Jin-Gok!”

After a while, a swordsman entered. He was the most senior of the bodyguards who had come with Chu Seong.

“Did you call for me?”

“…”

“Second Young Master?”

Namgoong Hyeon raised his head.

Jin-Gok flinched at the sight of his eyes.

“Where is that Tang family guy being treated right now?”

* * *

“I’ve learned a lot!”

“I’ve also learned a lot. The Peng family’s swordsmanship is indeed worthy of being called the ruler of Hebei.”

“Hahaha! I haven’t even mastered half of it yet. Please teach me again later!”

“Of course. But are you… alright?”

“My body is very strong!”

“That bruise on your shoulder, was that from being hit with an iron bar?”

“…Well, I’ll go first!”

Peng Dae-Ho ran away as if fleeing to find someone else.

Myeong Ho-Rim took a deep breath.

‘It’s tiring.’

After sparring with several different martial arts styles for the first time in a while, his shoulders were aching.

‘Have I gone through almost everyone?’

It was then.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Myeong Ho-Rim turned his head.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, with an iron bar on his shoulder, was standing there with a cold face.

“You’re the last one.”