Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 4

Lee Jeong-hak couldn’t help but be amazed.

‘The kids kept telling me to visit Goyang Pavilion, and now I see why. I had no idea the view would be this good.’

He had a sturdy build and a rather deep voice. Though he seemed young, he appeared more mature than his actual age.

‘What’s that lake over there? Is that Lake Tai [a large freshwater lake in eastern China]?’

‘It’s not Lake Tai, but a smaller lake next to it.’

‘Smaller? It looks pretty big even from this far away, doesn’t it?’

‘Haha, compared to Lake Tai, it is.’

The boy beside Lee Jeong-hak, who was explaining things quite maturely, seemed to be about the same age as Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

The boy was Yang Woo, who studied with Yeon Ji-Pyeong at the academy. He was the heir to a fairly well-known martial arts school in the region, though not as prestigious as the Yeon family.

‘Jiangsu Province certainly has many nice places. Though not as good as Anhui [a province in eastern China].’

‘Is Anhui that great?’

Lee Jeong-hak’s lips curled up.

‘Of course. Don’t you know the saying, Yang? Once you’ve seen Huangshan [a mountain range in Anhui, known for its scenic beauty], the other five sacred mountains don’t even register?’

‘Ah! I’ve heard of it!’

‘And Anhui’s scenery isn’t just Huangshan. It’s not just because I live there, but there’s no place in the Central Plains [a historical region in China] like Anhui.’

Lee Jeong-hak turned to the woman behind him and asked,

‘Isn’t that right, Miss?’

The woman gave a short nod. Her expression was blank, and she looked utterly uninterested.

Lee Jeong-hak pretended not to notice her expression.

‘Anyway, I’m glad I came, just like you said, Yang. With good food and a drink, it’ll be a real treat.’

He was clearly not old enough to truly appreciate the taste of alcohol. But Yang Woo clapped his hands in agreement.

‘I think so too. Should we order a bottle of wine while we’re at it?’

‘That’s a great idea! I heard the fish dishes here are famous. Let’s order some together.’

‘Sounds good.’

Lee Jeong-hak, who had been laughing heartily, suddenly looked at Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

He was trying his best to maintain his composure, but anyone could see how awkward and uncomfortable he looked. Lee Jeong-hak tilted his head.

‘What’s wrong, brother?’

‘…….’

‘Yeon, brother.’

‘Yes? Oh, yes!’

‘You don’t look too good?’

‘Ah…….’

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was polite to everyone. But he didn’t lie.

‘I thought we should introduce you to my brother first.’

Lee Jeong-hak smiled and said,

‘Ah, I’m sorry. I forgot for a moment that your brother was here.’

It wasn’t terribly rude, but it wasn’t exactly polite either.

It was a situation that could easily be laughed off. But Yeon Ji-Pyeong couldn’t say it was okay. It was about his family, not just anyone.

Just as Yeon Ji-Pyeong was about to speak again.

‘Pyeong-ah.’

‘Yes, brother!’

‘Bring them over.’

It was a perfect moment. Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who had been hesitant, spoke to the two men and one woman.

‘Let’s go.’

‘…….’

‘This brother?’

‘Hmm? Ah, yes. Let’s do that.’

Lee Jeong-hak’s face was still relaxed.

But the people around him didn’t notice that his eyes had changed slightly.

It was when the group was walking towards the table where Yeon Ho-Jeong was sitting.

‘Oh? Miss Namgoong?’

Unexpectedly, the woman was not with the group.

She had gone to a seat far away and was sitting calmly, resting her chin on her hand and looking out the window. She didn’t seem interested in the group’s conversation at all.

Yang Woo’s face showed embarrassment, and a thick vein popped out on Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s jaw.

In the slightly chilly atmosphere.

Lee Jeong-hak suddenly burst into a hearty laugh.

‘Haha! It seems she’s still not in a good mood.’

He stepped forward and bowed to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘I am Lee Jeong-hak of the Anhui Lee family. It is an honor to meet the eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon family.’

Regardless of his previous behavior, it was a respectful greeting.

Yeon Ho-Jeong also rose from his seat and returned the bow.

‘It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Yeon Ho-Jeong.’

Lee Jeong-hak smiled awkwardly.

‘I hope you can understand my group. There was something that happened that might have upset her.’

He was referring to the woman, Namgoong Sang-hwa.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

‘It’s alright.’

‘Thank you for your understanding.’

Lee Jeong-hak’s face brightened as if relieved.

‘Yeon, your brother, praised you so much at the academy. It’s good to see such strong brotherly affection.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at Yeon Ji-Pyeong. Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face turned slightly red.

‘Unlike me, he’s a kind and smart fellow. Please take care of him.’

‘Of course. He’s such a kind boy.’

The conversation was quite amicable.

Then, a cold voice was heard.

‘Did you bring me here just to look around?’

Everyone’s gaze turned to Namgoong Sang-hwa. Her face was subtly annoyed.

Lee Jeong-hak quickly said,

‘Of course not! Yeon, brother, it was nice meeting you. I have to go now because of my group.’

‘Alright.’

Lee Jeong-hak hurried towards Namgoong Sang-hwa.

Yang Woo, who was following behind him, glanced at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

His brow was slightly furrowed as he looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong. He was close friends with Yeon Ji-Pyeong, but he didn’t think well of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

The rumors about him were so bad. And Yeon Ji-Pyeong always had a hard time because of Yeon Ho-Jeong. He couldn’t look kindly on someone who made his close friend suffer.

‘Ji-Pyeong. Are you going to stay there?’

Yeon Ji-Pyeong frowned.

‘Stay where?’

Yang Woo pretended not to hear and turned away.

‘Never mind, see you later.’

With those words, Yang Woo walked towards Namgoong Sang-hwa and Lee Jeong-hak.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, biting his lip as he watched Yang Woo’s back, sat across from Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘I’m sorry, brother.’

‘For what?’

‘Just… I shouldn’t have suggested coming here…’

He was bothered by the chaotic atmosphere. And he felt like the group over there was subtly ignoring his brother. He wasn’t feeling good either, but it couldn’t compare to what his brother must be feeling.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

‘I don’t care.’

He meant it.

He didn’t want to talk much to people he wasn’t close to, but there was no problem with exchanging greetings with a smile. Besides, they were students from the academy his brother attended.

He didn’t know how long they would be at the academy, but he didn’t want his brother to be in a difficult position because of him.

Of course, he had something to say to his brother.

‘Being polite is different from being timid. I hope you understand that difference.’

‘Yes?’

‘The martial world doesn’t listen to kind people. It’s good to be kind, but I hope you strive to be a better person than that.’

Yeon Ji-Pyeong tilted his head. It was a confusing statement that seemed understandable yet unclear.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said,

‘Is your purse still full?’

‘Yes? Oh, yes!’

‘Then shall we have a drink too?’

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face brightened.

‘Sounds good!’

The two of them immediately ordered drinks.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong had never had alcohol before, though he didn’t tell his brother. He hadn’t had time because he was busy training in martial arts and academics.

The brothers shared their first drink together. It was a deeply moving moment for both of them.

How long had it been?

Bang!

A chilling silence fell.

‘Damn it!’

A sharp shout tore through the silence.

‘Stop talking about it! Whether it’s the academy or some trash, I said I don’t like it!’

The owner of the piercing voice was Namgoong Sang-hwa.

Whether it was because of the alcohol or anger, her face was flushed red. Her breathing was ragged, and her eyes were bloodshot.

When she was calm, she had a very beautiful appearance, but when she was angry, she was like a demon.

Lee Jeong-hak quickly said,

‘Miss, don’t misunderstand me. Either way, we can’t disobey the family head’s orders…’

‘Shut up! Do you think I came to this dirty place because I’m afraid of my father?!’

‘Mi, Miss!’

‘He told me to cool my head at the academy? That old geezer! He couldn’t just kick me out because I’m his child, so he stuck me in this backwater! Damn it, what does he think I am!’

Her language was extremely rough. She didn’t seem like someone who had learned the manners of a prestigious family.

Yang Woo cautiously opened his mouth.

‘Miss. Please calm down a little.’

‘What?’

‘That… isn’t this a gathering that Jeong-hak, brother, made to cheer you up? It’s scary if others see you like this, so please stop your anger…’

Slap!

‘Ugh!’

Yang Woo fell sideways.

Namgoong Sang-hwa looked down at the fallen Yang Woo with cold eyes.

‘I let you follow me around like a dog in heat, and now you dare to lecture me? Do you want to die?’

Yang Woo looked up at Namgoong Sang-hwa with a dazed expression.

Lee Jeong-hak stood up and tried to stop Namgoong Sang-hwa.

‘Miss, please stop. I understand you well enough.’

‘Understand? What do you know about me!’

‘Of course, I can’t understand the situation you’re in. What I do understand is that Yang Woo crossed the line.’

Yang Woo looked at Lee Jeong-hak with shocked eyes.

Lee Jeong-hak pretended not to see him.

‘And, there’s some truth in what Yang Woo said.’

‘What?!’

‘Aren’t you here as a representative of the Namgoong family? It’s scary if others see this scene.’

Namgoong Sang-hwa sneered.

‘Others? Are you talking about you or this bug?’

‘Miss.’

‘Or those guys?’

Namgoong Sang-hwa pointed to where the Yeon brothers were.

Lee Jeong-hak’s face hardened.

Namgoong Sang-hwa shouted,

‘Don’t try to make me understand with your pathetic words! I am a daughter of the Namgoong family! If anyone whispers, I’ll just tear their mouths apart!’

She was completely out of control.

Lee Jeong-hak felt embarrassed. He knew that Namgoong Sang-hwa had a very arrogant personality, but today it was too much.

Her anger wouldn’t subside easily. Lee Jeong-hak racked his brain.

‘Maybe it would be better to turn this anger elsewhere?’

At that moment, he turned around.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was sitting with his back to them, so he couldn’t see, but Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s expression was not good.

It was understandable. They weren’t strangers, and yet he had been called names because she was drunk. Anyone would feel bad.

Lee Jeong-hak’s eyes lit up.

‘But you have to endure it.’

‘What?’

‘This is a place where the descendants of the most prestigious families in Jiangsu, who are also counted among the Seven Great Families along with your family, are present. Shouldn’t we maintain some decorum?’

‘Seven Great Families? Decorum?’

Namgoong Sang-hwa scoffed.

‘Since when has the main family recognized the Yeon family as a member of the Seven Great Families?’

It was a dangerous statement.

He had tried to turn her anger towards the Yeon brothers, but he didn’t expect such a statement to come out. Lee Jeong-hak unconsciously made an excuse.

‘That’s not what I meant. Yang Woo and I are just trying to help you…’

His voice trailed off.

His tone was so polite and respectful that no other intention was felt.

But to someone who had much more sophisticated and brutal experiences, it was just a transparent remark.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

‘They’re playing cute.’

‘……?!’

Everyone’s faces hardened at the words that came out with the chuckle.

Even Yang Woo, who had the lowest internal energy here, could hear it. There was no way Namgoong Sang-hwa or Lee Jeong-hak couldn’t hear it.

Bang!

Namgoong Sang-hwa slammed the table and shouted sharply,

‘You, what did you just say?’