Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 47

Yeon-wi escorted Yeon Ho-Jeong to the entrance of his residence.

Having not spoken a word on their way, Yeon-wi finally opened his mouth.

“Is it heavy?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong lifted the axe to show him.

“It’s heavy, which is good.”

“I figured as much.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong wanted to express his gratitude, but Yeon-wi spoke first.

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Yes?”

It didn’t seem like a light question. Yeon-wi hesitated to speak.

But it was a question he had to ask. Yeon-wi asked with a determined look.

“Do you have any intention of getting married?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

“Marriage?”

“Yes.”

‘What is he talking about all of a sudden?’

Although he didn’t know why he was asking such a question, Yeon Ho-Jeong answered honestly.

“I don’t have any plans for that yet.”

“I see.”

“Why do you ask? Did you hear about a good match for me?”

“It’s not that a matchmaker came. I just wanted to know your intentions.”

“I don’t have any immediate plans to get married, but wouldn’t it matter who the other person is?”

After a moment of silence, Yeon-wi spoke.

“What do you think of the Moyong family?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong was inwardly surprised.

“That Moyong family?”

“Yes.”

“Uh…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong was uncharacteristically flustered.

“Who are you referring to in the Moyong family?”

“I heard she also participated in the recent gathering of young talents. Moyong Yeon-hwa, the current family head’s daughter.”

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘Moyong Yeon-hwa?’

Moyong Yeon-hwa.

The daughter of Moyong Gun, the current family head, she was a remarkable woman who, despite her young age, was recognized for her outstanding abilities and involved in the family’s major and minor affairs.

‘I never expected him to mention Moyong Yeon-hwa.’

Moyong Yeon-hwa was someone he had clashed with countless times during his days as the Dark Emperor.

At the time, Moyong Gun, who was the leader of the Martial Alliance, didn’t have the mental capacity to care for his family. So, he needed someone to act as the family head.

Surprisingly, the person he chose was not his sons, but his daughter, Moyong Yeon-hwa.

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s abilities were so exceptional that she was entrusted with managing a large family like the Moyong family. Having inherited her father’s blood, she was also a skilled manager who had increased the size of the Moyong family by more than 30% in just a few years.

Of course, her martial arts talent was also outstanding. It was clear that she was exceptional, as they even taught her the family’s secret techniques, despite her not being the one to inherit the family.

“I heard that her talent is exceptional in many ways. You saw her at the gathering, so you know.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Of course, I think character is more important than talent or ability. From what I’ve heard, her character is also impeccable.”

‘That can’t be true.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong remembered Moyong Yeon-hwa’s fierce gaze. Not the Moyong Yeon-hwa of this life, but the Moyong Yeon-hwa of his Dark Emperor days was like that.

While nature is important, environment is also crucial. A single event is enough to change a person’s personality and values.

However, if Moyong Gun cherished her so much, it was unlikely that Moyong Yeon-hwa’s nature was good. That’s what Yeon Ho-Jeong thought.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have any intention of getting married yet.”

Surprisingly, Yeon-wi didn’t express any disappointment.

“I understand. Actually, there’s a reason why I hesitated to bring it up. In this day and age, many people get married without even seeing each other’s faces, but I’m against such marriages.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s someone you’ll be spending your whole life with. While it’s important to bring honor to the family, it’s just as important to protect the happiness of my people.”

“…”

“In the future, if you find a woman you like, I don’t want you to worry about her family background.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Did you love my mother?”

It was a somewhat mischievous question. It was also a question intended to lighten the mood.

“I loved her more than my own life.”

“… !”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

Yeon-wi said with an indifferent face.

“You can’t imagine how sad I was the day your mother died. It felt like the sky was falling. I don’t know how many times I held a sword to my throat, wanting to follow her.”

“…”

“But sometimes, living can be more painful than dying. I’ve been living with that feeling all along. I had too many sins to go with your mother.”

“What sins did you commit, Father?”

“The sin of not protecting my loved one.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“That’s not your fault, Father.”

Yeon-wi didn’t agree with his son’s words. But he didn’t argue either. After all, it was unlikely that anyone would understand his feelings.

However, he wanted to say this much.

“I have also sinned against you.”

“Father?”

“All parents want their children to succeed. But I’ve only been strict with you.”

“That’s not a sin either.”

“It is. I saw you not as my son, but as the successor to the family.”

“…”

“I’m a failure as a husband and as a father. That’s why I’m a sinner.”

He finally had the courage to say to his eldest son the words he had been burying in his heart every day, words he had worried he might only be able to say before he died.

Even after hearing that his father had seen him not as a son but as a successor, Yeon Ho-Jeong wasn’t upset. The fact that he was confessing such feelings meant that his father thought of him as a son.

Of course, he could feel that even without such a confession.

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“Anyway, if that’s how you feel, then let’s forget about this marriage proposal.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been nodding with a bitter expression, suddenly had a strange thought.

“Father.”

“What is it?”

“But why the Moyong family?”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“I’m curious why you mentioned the Moyong family specifically, instead of another family from the Seven Great Clans.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes deepened.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t told you yet.”

“Told me what?”

“Half a year ago, when you and Ji-Pyeong went to participate in the gathering of young talents, the Moyong family contacted us.”

“Contacted us?”

“They asked if we were interested in doing business together.”

“Business, you say?”

“Yes. We control 70% of the maritime trade rights in Jiangxi Province. It seems the Moyong family is also interested in the trade business.”

“… !”

The Moyong family contacted them first? At this particular time?

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“Are you considering working with them?”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“I’ve declined twice. But they contacted us again. It seems like this is their final offer, so I’m thinking about it carefully.”

The Moyong family, maritime trade.

And the invasion of the Myeong family.

They seemed unrelated, yet there was a strange sense of unease.

‘I don’t know how the Myeong family fell in the past. I only know that their downfall happened in an instant. And the Myeong family fell not long after the main family was destroyed.’

And then, time passed, and Moyong Gun rose to the position of leader of the Martial Alliance.

That’s how the Moyong family became the greatest family under the heavens.

‘I don’t have enough information. I don’t have enough, but…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked again.

“May I ask one more question?”

“Yes.”

“Even if you were thinking of joining hands with the Moyong family, you wouldn’t consider marrying me off to one of their family members.”

“Hmm.”

“Who recommended it?”

“It was Chief Manager Tae-Gyeong.”

“…!!”

Yeon-wi added, seeing his son’s unusual expression.

“He’s the chief manager. Regardless of the reason, he’s always thinking about what would benefit the family. Since you’ve already declined, don’t think too badly of him.”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

It wasn’t about the marriage.

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought of Tae-Gyeong. A man who was not even forty years old, with a naive expression, who managed the Yeon family’s finances without much presence.

‘I was suspicious. That there might be a traitor within the family.’

His father’s judgment was excellent. He wasn’t someone who would appoint someone with ulterior motives as the family’s chief manager.

However, just like he had shown earlier, his father was also human. Humans can make mistakes. Furthermore, if the other person was thoroughly deceiving him, it wouldn’t be easy to notice unless he was determined to dig deep.

“Father.”

“Speak.”

“Please postpone the business partnership with the Moyong family for a while.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

“There’s something I need to look into.”

* * *

“Huh?!”

Tae-Gyeong was startled.

“I’m sorry. For suddenly visiting you at this late hour.”

“Hah! N-No, it’s alright!”

“I saw the light was on, so I stopped by. Am I interrupting you?”

“Of course not. Please, have a seat here.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who sat on the chair, looked around the room.

“Now that I think about it, it seems like this is my first time in the chief manager’s office.”

“Haha, you’re right. No one ever comes here except for the family head and the servants.”

Tae-Gyeong quickly brewed some tea.

“Here, please have some.”

“Thank you.”

After taking a sip of tea, Yeon Ho-Jeong casually asked.

“By the way, are you working?”

“Yes, I am. We never know what kind of natural disasters might happen this year, so I’m starting to work on the budget.”

Jiangxi Province suffered from floods every year. The Yeon family spent money every year to help the flood victims and ensure public safety.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“You’re working hard.”

“Haha, it’s nothing. I’m already getting a high monthly salary, so I should at least earn my keep.”

His face was very bright as he laughed heartily.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring at Tae-Gyeong, asked as if throwing a question.

“I heard you brought up the marriage proposal.”

“Huh?!”

Tae-Gyeong shrank back.

“Uh… that’s…”

“…”

“…Did you hear it from the family head?”

“Yes.”

Tae-Gyeong cleared his throat.

“Well, how should I put it? I only said it for the prosperity of the Yeon family…”

“…”

“I-I’m sorry if you were offended.”

He was a strange person.

He went back and forth between being a pure and innocent person and a timid and fearful one.

He was the type of person commonly seen in the martial world. Given the rigid atmosphere of the Yeon family, it was understandable.

Yeon Ho-Jeong relaxed his expression.

“I wasn’t offended. I’ve seen the young lady named Moyong Yeon-hwa at the gathering.”

“Ah?!”

“She was indeed worthy of being called a talented woman. I even thought she was too good for me.”

Tae-Gyeong said in a flustered manner.

“N-No way! How could that be! You are the eldest son of the Yeon family! You are better than the eldest daughter of the Moyong family, there’s nothing you lack.”

“Haha, is that so?”

“Of course! Trust me.”

“I do trust you. I really do.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued calmly.

“But what can I do? I don’t have any intention of getting married right now.”

“Ah…”

“If it’s for the benefit of the family, I’d do anything, but I don’t think this is the right thing to do.”

“Ahaha, it can’t be helped. If you don’t like it, young master…”

“It’s because the young lady from Moyong is too outstanding.”

“Yes?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong leaned back in his chair with a nonchalant expression. It was a somewhat arrogant posture.

“I still have an eye for people. The young lady from Moyong that I saw at the gathering was not a woman who could serve her husband. If anything, she might devour him.”

“I-Is that so?”

“I’ve never seen a talented person who truly cares for others.”

Tae-Gyeong scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have interfered…”

“Well, maybe not for other people, but…”

“Yes?”

“Besides the Moyong family head’s bloodline, are there any other women in the Moyong family? Someone who is not as capable but has a good character, and is also a direct descendant.”

Tae-Gyeong’s eyes sparkled.

“Does that mean?”

“I have to get married eventually. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to have someone decent? Besides, if it benefits the family, wouldn’t my father look at me differently?”

“T-The family head already…”

“Let’s be honest. I’m lucky that my martial arts have improved, but my father has been watching me for the past nineteen years. He probably has his eyes on my younger brother as the next family head.”

Tae-Gyeong was at a loss for words.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said subtly.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Chief Manager.”

“…A favor?”

“Please speak well to my father. Ask him to take someone other than Moyong Yeon-hwa as his daughter-in-law.”

“M-Me?!”

“Ah, of course, she has to be beautiful.”

“…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong got up from his seat. Tae-Gyeong also stood up awkwardly.

“Chief Manager Tae. You’re in your prime, aren’t you? You have a bright future ahead of you, so you need to choose your side well to succeed, right?”

“…Ah, yes.”

“Let’s live well together. Please do me this favor.”