Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 453

“Damn hot.”

A young man, broad and powerfully built, entered Inhwa House, grumbling as if spitting out the words.

He stood well over six feet, nearly reaching seven, and wore a sleeveless top made of tiger skin, revealing his thick, strong arms.

Black bandages wrapped around his palms, the backs of his hands, and even his forearms indicated his martial arts training. His short-cropped hair and fiercely flickering eyes gave him the look of a wild beast.

Overall, he projected a very rough impression. Not only his appearance, but also the fierce aura that emanated from him without any attempt to hide it, was tremendous.

That beast-like energy plunged the entire first floor of the spacious Inhwa House into silence.

The young man looked at the server.

The server’s face immediately turned pale. It was as if a tiger was glaring at him from right in front.

“Hey.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

“What are you doing? Guide me to the top floor.”

The top floor of Inhwa House was famous for its great view, and it was impossible to go up there without a reservation.

The server swallowed hard and asked,

“W-what is your name, if I may ask…?”

The young man frowned.

It was as if wrinkles were forming on a tiger’s snout. Cold sweat poured down the server’s entire body.

“Even after just a few years, you don’t recognize me? Are you new here?”

“Y-yes, I am.”

The young man snorted.

“I’ll let it slide since you’re new. Call the owner.”

“……Yes?”

“I said, call the owner!”

In an instant, people on the first floor, as well as those dining on the second floor, were startled and covered their ears.

It was a thunderous voice, like a lion’s roar from a Buddhist temple. The only difference was that his shout was filled with ferocity and annoyance.

Thud.

The server collapsed on the spot. He was panting heavily, and then he fainted.

The young man’s aura was so aggressive that even a master of the highest level would hesitate. It was impossible for a server with no internal energy to withstand such force.

The young man clicked his tongue.

“Such trash.”

It was then.

“Y-Young Master Jeon?!”

A middle-aged man in his forties, wearing flamboyant attire, hurried down the stairs.

The young man, Jeon Hong, chuckled.

“Long time no see?”

“It has been a long time indeed. How have you been?”

“I’m always the same.”

“Haha, it’s a pleasure to see you looking so healthy.”

“Is that lie true?”

“A lie? It’s my sincere feeling.”

The middle-aged man rubbed his hands together and repeatedly bowed.

“If you had told me in advance, I would have prepared a seat for you.”

“So, there are no seats?”

“Hah! How could that be? I will ask the other guests for their understanding and make a seat. Who would dare to be defiant when Young Master Jeon wants to sit?”

If there was such a thing as dignity in flattery, it was nowhere to be found in the middle-aged man’s flattery.

However, the shabby flattery seemed to work. The young man chuckled and said,

“Guide me.”

“Yes!”

“Oh, and my men will be here in about half a day. There will be about thirty of them, so make a separate place for them.”

“Of course.”

“By the way, why isn’t the owner here?”

“Haha, my father retired a year ago and returned to his hometown. I am the owner now.”

“Oh? I should congratulate you. Make some time later. I’ll have a drink with you.”

“Of course.”

The middle-aged man, the owner of Inhwa House, repeatedly bowed and guided Jeon Hong to the top floor.

Soon, Jeon Hong’s figure disappeared up the stairs, and only then did the silence on the first floor disappear.

“He’s incredibly fierce. Who is he?”

“They said he’s Young Master Jeon?”

“Shh! Be careful what you say. You might lose your head if you’re not careful.”

“Do you know who that young man is?”

“Of course. I’m a local here.”

“Who is he?”

“He’s Jeon Hong, one of the disciples of the Fighting King.”

“Huh! The Fighting King, as in, Seongcheon’s [a famous martial artist]?”

“That’s right. If you know, keep your mouth shut. Martial artists have sharp ears, don’t they?”

Jeon Hong heard all the whispers as he climbed the stairs.

They were just comments that could be ignored, and if someone had a bad temper, they might have glared at them.

And Jeon Hong listened to their conversation with one ear and let it go out the other.

It was foolish for someone who would stand above all to respond to the chatter of the powerless commoners.

Those who dared to resist and not lower their eyes should be punished, but there was no need to react to the tongues of those who were nothing.

Jeon Hong truly believed that.

His personality, which had already hardened, would not change easily.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was drinking on the third floor, chuckled and said,

“It seems we have many connections with the Mukryong Clan [a fictional martial arts clan]. He’s Yang Cheon’s third disciple, they say?”

“That’s what it seems.”

“Do you know that guy?”

“I’ve heard a lot about him. He’s said to be one of the most talented disciples Yang Cheon has taken, along with his first disciple.”

“Really? I didn’t know.”

“He’s quite famous in the Black Path martial arts world [a term for the darker, less honorable side of martial arts].”

“I see.”

Gang Ryang’s voice was steady. However, his eyes were quite sharp.

Yeon Ho-jeong casually asked,

“You felt that guy’s aura, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”

“What do you think?”

Gang Ryang smacked his lips.

“It’ll be a close match.”

Surprisingly, Jeon Hong’s aura was just about to break through the wall of the Martial Ancestor realm [a high level of martial arts mastery].

Although he was the third disciple, he was the same age as the second disciple, Bu Seon. He was only made the third disciple because he was accepted five years later.

In other words, he had been learning martial arts for five years less than Bu Seon. Yet, he was already on the verge of breaking through the wall of the Martial Ancestor realm.

Considering how the masters of the Martial Alliance [a fictional organization of martial artists] viewed Yeon Ho-jeong, who had broken through the wall of the Martial Ancestor realm, Jeon Hong’s talent was truly worthy of praise.

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“His personality seems terrible, but his skills are real. And it’s not just mediocre martial arts. It seems like he’s been through enough real combat.”

He revealed his aura without hesitation, but the flexibility and probing atmosphere within that rough aura were something that was difficult to acquire without going through a considerable amount of chaos.

Gang Ryang shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, what does it matter how strong that person is? Let’s just drink.”

“You’re right.”

They were planning to send an invitation to Yang Cheon, not to make acquaintances with Yang Cheon’s disciples.

Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Jeong-an.

“You should calm down too.”

“Yes?”

“That young man is just Yang Cheon’s disciple, not Yang Cheon himself. I’m saying don’t pay attention to him.”

Without realizing it, Jeong-an’s aura was subtly flowing out and probing the upper floor.

She had heard that Yang Cheon might be the seed of the Botam Temple conflict. And now, his disciple had entered this tavern.

It was impossible not to be concerned. However, Yeon Ho-jeong wanted her to calm down.

Jeong-an sighed and gathered her inner energy.

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. It’s a natural reaction.”

Yeon Ho-jeong said, filling his own glass.

“Don’t be impatient. It may look peaceful, but this is enemy territory. A rash action could put the entire group in danger.”

“Yes.”

Gang Ryang said playfully,

“That’s not a very fitting thing to say for someone who boldly infiltrated the Mukryong Clan and even fooled the head of the Mukryong Clan, is it?”

“Shut up, you. Have another drink.”

“Gladly.”

The group clinked their glasses again and chatted about various things.

And so, time passed again.

When about half a day had passed.

As the sun set and the evening glow cast its light, more than thirty men entered Inhwa House.

The already bustling tavern became even noisier.

“May I have a moment of your time?”

The owner of Inhwa House, who had come down to the third floor, bowed to the guests. His face was flushed, indicating that he had had quite a few drinks.

“I apologize for interrupting your pleasant conversation. Martial arts heroes have come to our establishment, but unfortunately, we are fully booked, so I need your understanding.”

The owner of Inhwa House’s expression was full of apology. Whether it was genuine or not, he was at least very polite.

“We will not charge you for the drinks and food you have consumed so far. I ask for your understanding.”

For a powerless owner, this was the best he could do.

Everyone sitting on the third floor stood up. The identity of Jeon Hong had already been revealed to everyone in the tavern. They would have stood up even if he hadn’t said he wouldn’t charge them for the drinks.

Gang Ryang muttered quietly,

“Damn it, why did it have to be the third floor?”

He looked at Yeon Ho-jeong and asked,

“What do you want to do, brother?”

Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged his shoulders.

“Is there any need to cause trouble? We’ve eaten almost everything anyway, let’s get up. Besides, they said we don’t have to pay, right?”

Gang Ryang burst out laughing without realizing it. It was funny that Yeon Ho-jeong, the leader of the Martial Alliance’s Yu-gun unit, was giggling about not having to pay.

Jeong-an asked in a puzzled voice,

“Are you really going to leave like this?”

“Why? Do you want to stay longer?”

“It’s not that, but… I don’t think this is the right thing to do.”

It was a frank statement.

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“That’s right. There are already guests here, and even if they don’t charge us for the drinks, it’s still an uncomfortable situation.”

“Then…”

“Whatever happens, the owner will be responsible. For better or for worse.”

“Is that so?”

“The tavern made a choice, and it acted according to that choice. If we resist here, the owner will be the one who loses.”

“Loses?”

“People are sensitive to rumors. If a fight breaks out here, especially a fight with the Fighting King’s disciple, more people will avoid coming here because they don’t want to get caught up in a fight than those who come out of curiosity.”

“Ah…!”

“Well, it’s not just because of that. There are many things to consider, but at least in my opinion, this is not a situation where we need to complicate things.”

Standards.

Among Yeon Ho-jeong’s words, Jeong-an was most struck by the word “standards.”

“Everyone is getting up. Let’s get up too.”

The group stood up.

The Gwangryong Blade [a fictional sword] was too large and conspicuous, so they had left it with the Myeolsa Unit. They had brought the Black and White Twin Dragon Blades, but they were hidden under their robes, so they would be easily overlooked unless someone had a keen eye.

Of course, Gang Ryang and Jeong-an were carrying swords, but that was something many people carried for self-defense.

Just as the group was about to get up and go down the stairs, it happened.

“You three there. Stop for a moment.”

Gang Ryang looked up.

Jeon Hong was sitting on the stairs leading to the fourth floor. He wasn’t as flushed as the owner of Inhwa House, but it seemed he had also had a few drinks.

Gang Ryang asked,

“Are you talking to us?”

“Yes, you.”

It was a casual way of speaking.

Gang Ryang frowned.

“Do you have something to say?”

“……Indeed, you have quite the nerve. You’re quite talkative even when I’m right in front of you?”

“If you have nothing to say, we’ll be on our way.”

“Well, I guess you wouldn’t have come this far if you didn’t have that kind of nerve. Isn’t that right, the young master of the Black Iron Sword Clan [a fictional martial arts clan]?”

In an instant, Gang Ryang’s face hardened.

Jeon Hong grinned.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know?”

Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his cheek and thought.

I thought he wouldn’t know.

Jeon Hong’s eyes flashed.

“The remnants of the rebel faction have crawled back into Honam [a region in Korea]… It seems we’re quite a joke to you.”

“……I don’t know about the rest.”

A rebel faction?

Gang Ryang’s eyes shone coldly.

“You’re definitely a joke.”

Jeon Hong grinned.

It was a murderous grin.