Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 36

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

“…Alright, see you later.”

The Jeagal siblings bowed their heads and turned away.

Namgoong Hyeon’s face was stiff as he watched them. He had noticed that Jeagal Ayeon’s gaze was particularly cold towards him.

‘Damn it.’

It was all because of Yeon Ho-Jeong. If he hadn’t been humiliated in front of Yeon Ho-Jeong, Jeagal Ayeon wouldn’t have looked at him like that.

This gathering had left him with nothing but scars. The scars were so deep that he was losing his reason.

Namgoong Hyeon gritted his teeth, recalling Jeagal Ayeon’s gaze.

‘I wanted to kill him with my own hands.’

It was regrettable, but also somewhat satisfying.

The Tang family’s poisons were beyond imagination. There were countless types, from those that killed before you even realized it, to those that paralyzed the body, those that only inflicted pain, and those that caused physical disabilities.

Namgoong Hyeon had seen Yeon Ho-Jeong’s skills.

It was frustrating, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were undeniable. Even for him, it wouldn’t have been easy to overwhelm Chu Seong like that.

‘That bastard! He must have used some trick.’

Chu Seong’s movements when he received the first three stances were too clumsy. It was clear that Chu Seong had been trying to go easy on his opponent, but was caught off guard by his unexpected skill and made a mistake.

He would ask him once he woke up. Why he had been so careless.

‘Come to think of it, that was also a surprise attack.’

When Yeon Ho-Jeong subdued Tang Yang-Seon, it wasn’t through normal means either.

Listing them one by one, he was truly a cowardly bastard. People didn’t see the process, only the result. That’s why they seemed to think Yeon Ho-Jeong was amazing.

“You trashy bastard. Showing off with your petty skills…”

People tend to see only what they want to see, especially in extreme situations.

Having his pride wounded for the first time in his life, he couldn’t use his smart brain properly.

“Where’s Myeong Hyung?”

“He left first.”

“Without saying goodbye?”

Namgoong Hyeon frowned.

‘These guys.’

He didn’t like it. There was really nothing he liked.

“Is the cleanup finished?”

“Not yet. It should be done soon.”

Namgoong Hyeon shouted.

“The sun will be setting soon! Finish it quickly!”

“Yes, yes!”

The servants moved busily.

After finishing the work in about two hours, Namgoong Hyeon left the manor.

It would take a long time to get from Hefei to the area near Mount Huang, where the Namgoong family was located.

People often wondered why the Namgoong family, the most powerful force in Anhui, had settled in Mount Huang instead of the capital, Hefei.

But that was a question based on the result. When the Namgoong family’s ancestor first settled there, the Namgoong family’s power wasn’t as great as it was now.

Of course, it was different now. The Namgoong family’s eyes were everywhere in Anhui, and Hefei, the capital, was no exception.

“The carriage has been brought in advance. Please get in.”

Even when the Namgoong family’s disciples moved within Anhui, they were provided with the highest-class carriages and ships. Everyone in Anhui who made a living was wary of the Namgoong family.

This was a privilege no different from that of a royal family in a small country.

Thus, Namgoong Hyeon crossed the river in five days and entered the Namgoong family’s territory near Mount Huang.

‘What is it?’

Namgoong Hyeon, walking on the main road, felt a strange sense of incongruity.

Many people were glancing at him.

It wasn’t surprising. The guards were carrying three or four huge flags with the word ‘Namgoong’ on them.

He usually received a lot of attention, but today was different. They were glancing and whispering something, and their expressions were not friendly.

Namgoong Hyeon’s face slowly contorted. He was in a bad mood.

Just as the group reached the Namgoong family’s estate.

“Hyeon, is that you?”

“Ah, Uncle.”

Namgoong Dae-San, the head of the Namgoong family’s outer branch, approached with an urgent look.

Namgoong Hyeon felt increasingly uneasy.

“What’s wrong?”

Namgoong Dae-San asked directly.

“What on earth have you done?”

“Yes?”

Namgoong Dae-San hit his chest as if frustrated.

“I heard you used the Tang family’s eldest son to kill the Yeon family’s young master!”

Namgoong Hyeon’s face turned pale in an instant.

Was he too surprised? Namgoong Hyeon opened his mouth without realizing it.

“H-how did you…?!”

Namgoong Dae-San’s eyes deepened.

“You…? It was true.”

Only then did Namgoong Hyeon realize his mistake and shut his mouth.

But those who needed to hear it had already heard it. No, even if Namgoong Hyeon had denied it, the incident had already happened.

“The rumors have spread like wildfire beyond Anhui to other regions. It’s not just a simple rumor, the source is clear and the witnesses are certain.”

“N-no way!”

“Hurry and go to the family head’s room!”

Swoosh. Swoosh.

The brushstrokes across the rice paper were careful yet bold.

Namgoong In’s brushstrokes as he painted orchids were imbued with craftsmanship. The way he perfectly calculated the density of the ink to paint the orchids was already at a master level.

Namgoong Hyeon felt his mouth go dry.

His father had been painting orchids for an hour now. As if something was not to his liking, more than twenty sheets of rice paper had fallen to the floor.

“Hmm, now it’s somewhat acceptable.”

A satisfied look appeared on Namgoong In’s face as he lifted the rice paper and gently shook it.

As he dried the ink in the wind, Namgoong In finally opened his mouth.

“Is it true?”

The question he asked after an hour was very direct.

Namgoong Hyeon swallowed. He felt the subtle anger hidden within his father’s calm tone.

He had seen his father like this often. But he never thought he would be the target.

It was the first time he had received his father’s anger. Namgoong Hyeon felt himself shrink.

“Yes, it is.”

There was no point in lying anyway. No, it wasn’t a situation where he could lie.

Namgoong In’s eyes deepened.

He was clearly disappointed.

“The reason I sent you to the younger generation gathering was not because there were no people in the main family. There are many children more intelligent than you, even if they are not the eldest.”

It was a heart-wrenching statement. Namgoong Hyeon’s face turned pale.

“But I still sent you. Because you wanted to. Of course, it was also because I recognized you.”

“…”

“It’s difficult for a person to be recognized by another. But disappointment is momentary. You must know that.”

Only then did Namgoong In turn his eyes to his son.

“Your intention to resolve the matter with the Yeon family was commendable. I also knew that you wouldn’t be reckless. That’s why I sent you, but I didn’t know you would draw a sword.”

“…”

“If you use people well, it’s called the art of employing people, but if you don’t, it becomes a conspiracy. I thought you had the ability to erase your own name, but was my judgment wrong?”

Trickle.

Blood oozed from Namgoong Hyeon’s lips. He had bitten his lip without realizing it.

Namgoong In’s eyes shone brightly.

“I trust my judgment. There’s no way you, my own flesh and blood, would make such a ridiculous mistake. Then why did this result happen?”

“…”

“There are three possible reasons. Something happened that disturbed your composure, or the schemes of that child named Yeon Ho-Jeong overwhelmed you.”

“…!”

“Or, both.”

Namgoong Hyeon’s eyes were bloodshot.

Even if it was a scheme, he didn’t want to admit that Yeon Ho-Jeong was better than him.

Namgoong In saw his son’s wavering. His eyes, which had been filled with anger and disappointment, now held a subtle pity.

“Is it because of the Jeagal family’s eldest daughter?”

Namgoong Hyeon, startled, looked at his father.

Namgoong In said,

“I was curious about what happened, so I heard in detail what happened there.”

“…”

“Do you like the Jeagal family’s eldest daughter that much?”

“I, I…”

“…I see.”

A stern look appeared in Namgoong In’s eyes.

“It is said that the most dangerous thing for a man is lust. I told you to be wary of it your whole life, yet you couldn’t even control that one desire and brought things to this point?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Namgoong In clicked his tongue.

“I’ve sent a matchmaker to the Jeagal family head.”

“Yes?!”

“Although you are not the eldest son, you are not someone who would be considered lacking anywhere. The Jeagal family will also have their eldest son inherit the family, so they should be able to accept a daughter.”

“Ah, Father.”

Namgoong Hyeon felt a surge of emotion.

Even while severely scolding him, he had sent a matchmaker for his son. His father cared for him that much.

“I am the family head before I am your father. Considering what you have contributed to the family, I will overlook this mistake.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t have high expectations. The Jeagal family’s eldest daughter is just a whetstone to sharpen you. That child is not my daughter-in-law, but only your wife.”

It was a cold statement. He said very calmly that he would not recognize his son’s wife as his daughter-in-law.

But for Namgoong Hyeon, that was enough.

Looking at his son’s flushed face, Namgoong In clicked his tongue once more.

“Go back now.”

Namgoong Hyeon raised his head.

Having glimpsed a part of his father’s heart, he had already regained his composure. Unlike his flushed expression, his eyes had regained their previous sharpness.

Namgoong In inwardly nodded. That was the look he wanted to see.

“Then, how do you plan to handle this matter?”

“Why? Are you planning to step in yourself?”

“…”

“You are to stay out of this matter. There is nothing more unsightly than dwelling on a failure.”

“But Father.”

“Also.”

Namgoong In’s face became indifferent.

“I heard that the child named Yeon Ho-Jeong is exceptional in both martial and literary arts. Just from hearing my daily affairs, it seems that the child named Yeon Ho-Jeong is not someone you can handle.”

Namgoong Hyeon’s cheeks twitched. His wounded pride stung once more.

However, he quickly composed himself. He was in front of his father, not anyone else. He could no longer show a pathetic side.

A satisfied look finally appeared on Namgoong In’s face.

“Seeing your opponent clearly is the beginning of progress. You have just taken your first step.”

“I lost once. But I am confident that I will not lose twice.”

“I know. But stay out of this matter. Focus on training your mind and body for the time being.”

It was something to be grateful for, just for him to say this much.

Namgoong Hyeon bowed.

“I understand. Then, I will take my leave.”

“You’ve had a long journey. Rest well today.”

After sending his son away, Namgoong In leaned back in his chair.

“He’s just past the age of twenty, his blood is still hot.”

It seemed that there was no younger brother as good as the older brother. The eldest son wasn’t like that at that age.

Not only that. The eldest son was as talented in martial arts as he was in character. He had reached the realm that he had realized in his thirties before he was even twenty, so there was no need to talk about his talent.

Perhaps the world would be surprised when the eldest son came out of seclusion.

Namgoong In opened his mouth.

“Chief Manager Cheon.”

After a while, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build entered the family head’s room.

“Did you call for me, Family Head?”

Namgoong In looked out the window.

The deep sunset was particularly beautiful.

“The pot is hot enough now.”

“…”

“Let everyone know about what Sang-Hwa did.”

“Is it really alright to do that?”

“Even if the shape is rough, it must be sealed. Looking at him a little while ago, the son who at least shows some maturity is better than the reckless young daughter.”

“…I understand.”

Namgoong In’s eyes were dyed red by the sunset.

“The Byeoksan Yeon family… I thought they were just a family with outstanding martial arts, but the family head and his son are not ordinary.”