Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 469

Tang Sang-ah was startled by her father’s question.

It was an incredibly sensitive question. She never imagined he would ask her such a public question, especially one concerning the position of family head.

‘Does Yang-seon deserve to be the family head?’

Tang Sang-ah couldn’t answer easily.

Tang Gwan spoke.

“Don’t feel pressured to answer. Whatever your answer is, I won’t misunderstand it.”

“If you say so…”

Tang Sang-ah thought of Tang Yang-seon.

He was her younger brother, but even trying to think of him in a good light, it was hard to see him as a suitable person.

Of course, he had talent in martial arts. After coming to the Martial Alliance, she realized how many geniuses there were in the world, but that didn’t mean Tang Yang-seon’s talent was lacking.

However, what was important was his character.

What kind of family was the Sichuan Tang Clan seen as in the martial world? There were many opinions, but everyone would agree that they were a ruthless and unapproachable family.

And that brutal reputation stemmed from the path the Tang Clan had walked. The Tang Clan had no mercy for their enemies and would repay grudges tenfold, twentyfold.

As the head of such a family, was Tang Yang-seon truly a suitable person?

“Honestly…”

Tang Sang-ah sighed.

“I think it’s too early for that right now.”

Too early for that right now? She had expressed it as gently as possible, but it ultimately meant he was not suitable.

“With Grandfather and Father here, if they were determined to teach him, he could become a great master someday.”

“That’s right.”

“But I think his character is different. Yang-seon will be in his mid-twenties next year, and I don’t think his character, which he’s lived with his whole life, will change easily.”

“What do you think of Yang-seon’s character?”

“…”

“Tell me.”

“It’s not good.”

It was a statement without any embellishment, and that’s why it was even more impactful.

“As a family head, as a martial artist, and even as a member of the Tang Clan… it’s hard to say that Yang-seon’s character is good.”

It was a very honest answer. That meant that Tang Gwan, his parent, had raised his son poorly.

However, neither Tang Sang-ah nor Tang Gwan misunderstood that point. A mistake was a mistake, and something bad was bad.

Tang Gwan, who had been pondering Tang Sang-ah’s words, opened his mouth.

“There was a time when an entire pleasure house disappeared.”

“Yes?”

“Five years ago, there was a pleasure house that Yang-seon frequented. I knew about it but pretended not to. If he was addicted to pleasure houses, so be it, but at least he didn’t neglect his duties.”

“Ah, yes.”

It was a difficult thing to say in front of his daughter. After all, pleasure houses were places where women sold alcohol, laughter, and even their bodies.

“The martial world is dangerous. At least, I thought that was also a part of his experience. So I didn’t stop him. Furthermore, I didn’t think he was the type to neglect himself because he was obsessed with carnal desires.”

“…”

“But the pleasure house he frequented was completely burned down in a fire five years ago.”

Tang Gwan closed his eyes.

“It was said that over twenty courtesans died in that fire. Including the owner, cooks, and workers, there were nearly forty casualties.”

“… !”

Tang Sang-ah’s face turned pale.

“Could it be… Yang-seon?”

“Since you answered honestly, I will also be honest with you.”

Tang Gwan sighed.

It was the first time in a long time that she had heard her father sigh like this.

“I didn’t investigate it separately.”

“… Yes?”

“I suspected that it was Yang-seon’s doing. But I didn’t investigate it. I made inferences, but if I directly investigated and it became clear that he had done it…”

Tang Gwan couldn’t finish his sentence, unlike his usual self.

Tang Sang-ah said.

“Because you would be disappointed?”

“That would be the case now. But back then, there was another reason.”

“Yes?”

“Back then, even if it was revealed that he had done it, I wouldn’t have punished him.”

Back then.

He was emphasizing ‘back then’.

It was because the other person was his daughter. Because she had directly witnessed his change, he was emphasizing those words, knowing that she wouldn’t misunderstand, but just in case she might.

Tang Gwan was also an unavoidable father. He wanted to look good to his child.

At least, the current Tang Gwan was showing a much more human image of a parent than in the past.

“The reason I didn’t investigate it back then was because I was afraid it would hinder his path to becoming the family head.”

From the moment the words ‘a secret is a secret’ are spoken, the leak begins. No matter how tight-lipped the subordinates are, the moment they share a secret, something is bound to go wrong.

Tang Gwan had tried to prevent any possible leaks in advance.

“… I see.”

“As you know, the head of our Tang Clan wields great power. But not all past family heads were like that.”

Tang Gwan looked up at the sky.

His face looked a bit frustrated. It was a sincere expression that he wouldn’t show to Yeon-wi or Jeagal Mun-ho, but only to his own flesh and blood.

“The head of the Tang Clan is challenged. Especially, they have to fend off restrictions from above, not below. That’s one of the reasons why I keep my distance from your grandfather.”

Of course, that wasn’t the biggest reason.

Tang Gwan’s father, the Dark King, had etched his name in history as a ruthless family head and the strongest ruler in the Tang Clan’s history. At the same time, he was remembered as the most terrifying ruler.

However, after passing the position of family head to Tang Gwan, he had changed.

He had realized that his reign of terror, and the reign of terror that countless future family heads would carry out, would eventually sicken the Tang Clan.

“The retired king shouldn’t interfere in the politics of the kingdom. But all the retired former family heads couldn’t do that. Because of their dogmatic and narrow-minded views, they would interfere in the family head’s affairs if they saw something they didn’t like, even in a talented successor.”

The Tang Clan head, who seemed to wield absolute power in Sichuan, was actually very different.

“However, your grandfather has never interfered in my politics. In that respect, he is a very clean person. He was such an outstanding family head in the first place, so he didn’t receive any restrictions from his predecessors.”

“…”

“However, blood cannot be deceived. Every time he calls me for a chat, he would say a word or two about how my governing philosophy is wrong.”

Tang Gwan closed his eyes.

“Your grandfather and I have different ideologies and different things we’ve seen and learned. In the eyes of your grandfather, who led the Tang Clan to its golden age, my politics must have seemed very lacking.”

“T-That can’t be true.”

She said that, but Tang Sang-ah also knew.

When she was learning martial arts from her grandfather, he would unknowingly let slip a few words about her father. It wasn’t about his abilities, but Tang Sang-ah, who was quick-witted, could guess that her grandfather didn’t think very highly of her father.

“That’s not all. A great leader also has many capable subordinates. Many of the elders of the main family have tried to interfere in my politics, knowingly or unknowingly.”

Tang Gwan opened his eyes and looked at Tang Sang-ah.

“Do you understand? The position of the Tang Clan’s head is that difficult. Even though I’ve set up a successor, there aren’t many elders who truly support him. It’s a blessing if they don’t interfere.”

“…”

“I didn’t want Yang-seon to be in such an environment. So I buried all the bad rumors about him.”

It was a confession that was hard to make. Especially in front of his child.

Just by that, one could see how much Tang Gwan had changed.

“It was my mistake.”

“Father.”

“If I truly wanted what was best for Yang-seon, I shouldn’t have done that.”

It was the first time. It was the first time she had seen her father regret something.

It was the first time. It was the first time her father had talked to her about such a serious matter, so sincerely.

“And an even bigger mistake was my narrow-mindedness in trying to make Yang-seon the family head no matter what.”

“Ah, Father.”

“A person who doesn’t have the ability cannot hold the position of family head. I wanted Yang-seon to have sufficient ability. But now that I think about it, I only taught him strength and ruthlessness, but I don’t think I taught him what perspective he should have when looking at the world.”

Tang Gwan nodded.

“When we return to the family later, I plan to strip Yang-seon of his position as the young family head.”

“… !”

Tang Sang-ah’s face hardened.

Tang Gwan, who had solidified his power as the family head by overcoming the interference of his predecessors, had become the most powerful family head in history, following the previous family head, Tang Hyeong.

However, no matter how strong his power was, it was extremely difficult to strip a once-appointed successor of their position. It was a political move that would cause trouble.

Furthermore, it was also a fight against the history of the Tang Clan. Unless the successor died or became disabled, there had never been a case where a once-appointed successor was stripped of their position.

“To be precise, I will strip Yang-seon of his position as successor if he doesn’t change in the future.”

“Wouldn’t that be dangerous?”

“A lot of troublesome things will happen. Especially, the opposition from the elders will be severe. Perhaps, they might even say that I’m unqualified to be the family head for disregarding the history of the Tang Clan.”

“That’s… that’s too much of a statement.”

“Of course, I’m not someone who would fall because of the old fogeys’ opposition. However, if that happens, my foundation might be quite shaken for a while.”

Tang Gwan shook his head.

“I’ve decided to endure it. For my child, and for the family.”

Tang Sang-ah’s face was filled with worry.

Her father had probably made the most difficult decision since he had become the family head. And he must have gone through a fierce struggle to make that decision.

Tang Sang-ah lowered her head.

“I may not be of any help… but I support you, Father.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes?”

“It’s more than enough help.”

“… !”

A brief silence lingered between the father and daughter.

Soon, Tang Gwan changed the subject.

“I heard that Yeon Ho-jeong will be coming soon.”

“Ah, yes.”

Tang Sang-ah’s face was slightly flushed. She was very happy about her father’s words.

“I heard that Moyong Woo isn’t coming.”

“I see.”

“Aren’t you disappointed?”

Tang Sang-ah smiled.

“We’re not even in a relationship yet.”

Tang Gwan said in a stern tone.

“The head of the Moyong family is hard to call a good person, even as a figure of speech. But Moyong Woo is different. I don’t like his family, but if we only consider the person, I think he’s not a bad match.”

Seeing him say even these words, it seemed like he had really changed a lot.

“I’m going to let things happen naturally. If it’s not meant to be, it won’t happen. Conversely, if it’s fate, wouldn’t it happen even if we don’t try?”

“That’s wrong. Fate is also made by people. Don’t be fooled by words like destiny or fate. Relationships don’t shine on those who don’t try.”

It was a statement that came from experience. Tang Gwan had also worked hard to narrow the distance with his daughter.

“You’re not young. If you don’t like him, there’s nothing you can do, but if you think he’s okay, then jump in without hesitation.”

Tang Sang-ah couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Jump in without hesitation? It was a very father-like expression.

“By the way, is there a reason why only Yeon Commander is returning? Shouldn’t the Righteous Army return together since the mission is over?”

“The mission isn’t over. The Righteous Army will remain there until Guangdong is stabilized.”

“Then why is Yeon Commander…?”

Tang Gwan’s eyes turned cold.

It was the gaze that had shaken Sichuan with fear, a gaze that was truly like him.

“Because we need to catch the loach. This time, I think I need to help him a little too.”