Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 332

“The tea tastes good.”

“I’m quite good at brewing it, aren’t I?”

“I’m surprised. I thought you were one to stay away from the tea ceremony.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled.

“I learned it while I was there. I heard that if you immerse yourself in the tea ceremony, you can control your mind, so I tried it, but it doesn’t seem to be very effective.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Controlling your mind is up to you, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. But it was okay at first. I was quite nervous.”

“You had reason to be.”

“Yes. It was quite helpful in relieving tension.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa had risked her life when she went to the Mukryong Faction [a martial arts sect].

It wasn’t as a hostage of Yang Cheon. With that mindset, Moyong Yeon-hwa was able to grow further, and eventually, she was recognized by Yang Cheon and was able to reach this point.

Moyong Gun said calmly.

“So, now that you’ve come to see your father, does that mean you’ve made up your mind?”

After Moyong Woo proved his worth with his strong presence.

Moyong Gun had called Moyong Yeon-hwa and scolded her quite severely. If they were in the same boat, they should forget their past grudges and try to learn even a little more, but Moyong Yeon-hwa was still trapped in the past.

Of course, Moyong Gun wasn’t comfortable with scolding his daughter. After all, he was partly to blame for his daughter’s growth. He was the one who taught her that if you have the ability, such things are just minor problems.

However, he hoped that she would change now. He wanted her to be able to do great things by his side with Moyong Woo.

Moyong Yeon-hwa, who had been scolded by Moyong Gun, said that she would stay in her residence and reflect until her mind was settled.

And now, his daughter had come to him and brewed tea for him.

“I’ll be honest with you.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face was very serious.

Her eyes didn’t waver, and the arrogance in her expression had disappeared. That alone was enough to satisfy Moyong Gun.

“My feelings about my uncle haven’t been resolved yet. I’ve tried my best, but it hasn’t been easy.”

“That’s how people’s minds are. It’s easy to make up your mind, but it’s not so simple to resolve it.”

“Yes. But I can’t stay like this forever. As you said, Father, it’s petty for someone in the same boat to look down on their partner because of past grudges.”

“Hmm.”

“I’ll try. I can’t completely forget the past grudges, but I’ll try to ignore them. At least, I won’t look down on my uncle because of them.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa is still an immature talent.

However, the reason why Moyong Gun acknowledges his daughter is that she at least knows how to take responsibility for what she says. And that was also proof that Moyong Yeon-hwa was that honest.

Moyong Gun smiled and nodded.

“You’ve thought well. Now that you’ve made up your mind, my heart feels much lighter.”

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“No. You’ve returned more mature, so your past hardships are nothing.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled.

“There may be more things like this in the future. Please scold me often.”

“Hahaha! Yes, I will definitely do that.”

Father and daughter smiling at each other.

It remains to be seen whether Moyong Yeon-hwa can truly change, but at least she has taken a step forward. Moyong Gun was satisfied enough with that.

“Well, since you’re here, let’s talk about things we haven’t been able to talk about.”

“Yes.”

Moyong Gun’s face, which had been full of smiles, instantly turned cold.

“Did Vice-Chief Yang tell you to bring information about the Alliance?”

“Yes. He clearly said so.”

“Hmm.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa sighed.

“He’s not someone who doesn’t know that it’s quite unreasonable. Moreover, he’s asking for information even though it’s already over. That means……”

“It’s insurance.”

The corners of Moyong Gun’s mouth curled up.

His smile was cold.

“He promised strong support so that I could become the leader of the Martial Alliance, but if I don’t become the leader, it would be a waste of money. Vice-Chief Yang is calculating his gains and losses.”

“I was a little disappointed in that regard. I didn’t think he was someone who would go back on his word.”

“He’s testing us.”

“Pardon?”

“He’s trying to see if our side will really provide information about the Alliance or not. Even if we don’t provide the information, our relationship will continue.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes flashed.

“He gave me that order to gain an advantage in the relationship.”

“An equal relationship cannot exist. If you gain an advantage in a relationship, many things become easier.”

“Then what are you planning to do?”

“I don’t know.”

Moyong Gun rested his chin on his hand.

“If either Vice-Chief Yang or I cross the line, we will both perish. Regardless of the relationship or advantage, it would be okay to pat him on the butt a little if it’s within a reasonable limit.”

Tension appeared on Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face.

“Are you planning to leak information about the Alliance?”

“Yes.”

“……!”

“Of course, I can’t pass on top-secret information. But I’ll have to throw him a reasonably large and delicious piece of meat.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“If possible, it would be good if the information could also benefit me.”

“Information that could benefit you……”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes changed for a moment.

“Are you trying to eliminate your political enemies?”

Although she still has many shortcomings, blood is indeed thicker than water. Moyong Gun smiled with satisfaction at Moyong Yeon-hwa’s sharp insight.

“It would be good for me if my political enemies disappeared, and it would be good for Vice-Chief Yang to eliminate a thorn in his side, a master of the White Path, so wouldn’t that be killing two birds with one stone?”

“It could be dangerous, Father.”

“It is dangerous. But we are always walking on thin ice. It’s definitely dangerous, but it will be a great benefit to me.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

“Of course, it would be good to create a decent shield before that.”

“A shield?”

Moyong Gun took a sip of tea and organized his thoughts, then closed his eyes.

‘I’m sorry.’

Who was he talking to?

‘Your choice to join me was a good one. But you are too extreme. There have been many times when all of our party members have been troubled because of you.’

Moyong Gun opened his eyes again.

Moyong Gun, who had made a certain decision, had a subtle murderous intent in his eyes.

‘I won’t make the excuse that it’s a sacrifice for the great cause. Resent me.’

He opened his mouth.

“I heard that the head of the Gongdong Faction [a faction within the Martial Alliance] will be leaving the sect in a month.”

“Are you talking about the head of the Deungcheon Sect?”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Gun stared intently at Moyong Yeon-hwa.

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face gradually turned pale.

“Father, are you perhaps……?”

“If you want to take the enemy’s bones, you have to cut off my flesh as well.”

“……!!”

“The head of the Deungcheon Sect is the owner of amazing martial arts. But he is also someone who is too extreme and often causes problems. In a way, he is someone who is even more troublesome as an ally.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa swallowed.

They don’t care about the means or methods when it comes to eliminating the enemy. It’s the aesthetics of battle.

However, sacrificing an ally to take the opponent’s pieces was something that shouldn’t be done if possible. Regardless of its effectiveness, who would want to join if this fact were discovered?

Moyong Yeon-hwa, who had organized her thoughts for a moment, lowered her head.

“The reason why you are sacrificing the head of the Deungcheon Sect is not just to avoid suspicion, is it? It’s because the head of the Deungcheon Sect has caused several accidents in the past.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Of course, that’s true. But I don’t intend to use that as an excuse. Even so, he’s my man, and even if he’s a troublemaker, if he’s in my care, it’s my duty to protect him.”

“……!”

“I’m saying that I won’t keep that obvious duty now. It’s not like me.”

“Father.”

“But you know, I don’t feel any qualms.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes became desolate.

Moyong Yeon-hwa had never seen her father’s cold eyes like that before. While she was away from the Alliance, Moyong Gun had also undergone a major change.

“You said you were disappointed because Vice-Chief Yang went back on his word, right?”

“……Yes.”

“I understand him. Principles and rules will slow down progress if they are not flexible. This is not an excuse, but a fact.”

“……”

“Until I truly become the best, I will throw even my own people as sacrifices if necessary. I will cheat, and if I have to be a fool, I will live like a fool.”

Moyong Gun looked at Moyong Yeon-hwa.

“Will you believe in and follow even a father like that?”

A small smile soon appeared on Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face, which had been full of surprise.

“The reason you asked me that question is because it means that I also have the possibility of becoming a sacrifice, right?”

“That could be the case. No, I’ve already used you as a sacrifice before.”

Moyong Gun was the one who sent his daughter to the Mukryong Faction for his own future. And he was saying that he would live even more ruthlessly.

Moyong Yeon-hwa lowered her head.

“The fact that you told me that is a great gift to me. Even if they are family, if they lack ability and are not helpful, they can be thrown away at any time. Just knowing that, I can reduce the mistakes I make twice to once.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

His daughter had definitely inherited the blood of the Moyong Family. And very strongly.

“Then, let’s begin.”

“Yes. Ah! Before that.”

“Hmm?”

Moyong Yeon-hwa tilted her head.

“If you are using the head of the Deungcheon Sect as a shield, which political enemy are you trying to eliminate?”

Moyong Gun’s smile faded.

He opened his mouth to speak, and a deep tension fell on Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face when she heard the name.

“……It won’t be easy.”

“Vice-Chief Yang will know that too. He’ll take care of it. It would be good if he died, but it’s okay even if he doesn’t. I’ll be able to see Vice-Chief Yang’s skills this time.”

“I see.”

“Find out the head of the Deungcheon Sect’s route. Tell Vice-Chief Yang tomorrow.”

“……Yes!”

* * *

The two walked down the road at a fairly fast pace.

How long had it been?

“Patriarch.”

“What is it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“What on earth is the reason for this?”

He had already said he would follow, so there was no need for this question.

Even knowing that, it was hard to resist his curiosity. It would have been one thing if he had asked his father for help, but how many things would there be that would make Tang Gwan take him, given his personality?

Swoosh.

Tang Gwan stopped walking for a moment. Naturally, Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was following behind him, also stopped walking.

“You brat.”

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong. Please call me by my name.”

“I know that you were the one who put Sang-ah in the Tangma Army [Tang Clan’s elite military force]. Moyong Woo just approved it.”

“That’s true, but.”

“I’ll ask you just one thing.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes deepened.

“You, do you have a close relationship with Moyong Woo?”

Out of the blue, a rather sharp question came up.

Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression didn’t waver. He just had a look of bewilderment in his eyes.

“Why do you ask that?”

“Just answer, you brat.”

It was a difficult answer to give easily. He hadn’t even told his father yet that he had a close relationship with Moyong Woo. Of course, he had probably noticed to some extent.

In other words, telling this fact meant that he was telling Tang Gwan everything about himself.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Yes, I do.”

“……”

“I trust that you won’t tell anyone about this.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes deepened. He also knew the power of this honest answer.

But that was only for a moment.

“Then take her out.”

“Who?”

“Sang-ah, I mean.”

“……Suddenly?”

Tang Gwan’s expression became complicated.

“There’s a reason.”